110 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



Appendix 23 



IV— PROVINCIAL AIR SERVICE 



The past fiscal year, and particularly the fire fighting period from May 

 15th to November 1st, has been one of exceptional activity in this Service. 

 This period brought with it climatic conditions which produced one of the 

 worst fire hazards this Province has ever experienced. Exceptionally dry 

 weather, combined with abnormally high temperatures, and more than frequent 

 dry lightning storms, produced a series of fires with such rapidity that the 

 entire facilities of the Service were taxed to the limit, and the assistance of 

 outside organizations finally became necessary to accomplish ultimate sup- 

 pression. As many as twenty new fires were reported in a single day in one 

 district, and the reporting of five to eight new ones daily, in almost any district, 

 was not uncommon during this time. Many of lightning origin occurring in 

 locations which were often far beyond established portage lines and bush trails 

 were most difficult to reach and service. During such periods aircraft was 

 used to advantage and did splendid work in the transportation of men and 

 equipment. 



This Service is organized to meet a normal or slightly above normal 

 hazard and under these conditions can function effectively and with reasonable 

 economy. The past two seasons present a very interesting comparison: — 

 that of 1935, when we experienced a season of rather subnormal hazard, with 

 which we were able to deal effectively with the help of only $6,000.00 worth of 

 purchased flying, as against that of 1936, when we experienced an exceptionally 

 high hazard, and during which it was found necessary to purchase almost 

 •590,000.00 worth of additional flying from outside sources. 



A careful analysis of the past two seasons reveals that from an Air Service 

 standpoint our problem is becoming more and more one of transportation 

 rather than of detection. The semi-transport type of aircraft, combining 

 detection with economical suppression, would seem to be the one best suited 

 to our requirements and in the regular and necessary periodic replacements 

 especial consideration should be given to the type best suited for the purposes 

 of suppression and at the same time readily adapted to detection. 



Co-operation with Other Departments 



The Service has continued to co-operate with other Departments of 

 Government in the administration of their respective offices, the following 

 Departments having successfully used the Provincial Aircraft on different 

 occasions: Highways, Mines, Attorney General, Provincial Police, Education, 

 Health, and Welfare. The Department of Indian Affairs of the Federal 

 Government also took advantage of purchasing flying time from the Depart- 

 ment of Lands and Forests. 



Mercy Flights 



Mercy flights have also been carried out as occasion and conditions 

 warranted, outstanding among which were those connected with the Moose 

 River Mine disaster. Two of our ships flew to Halifax with badly needed 



