CANADA'S FOREST RESOURCES" 



Larentide Company, Limited 



the struggle is resumed and lasts until dark, 

 the fires in this part of the country die down 

 ably during the night and in the early morn- 

 ing present only a smouldering line to the fire- 

 fighter. The most effective work is done be- 

 tween dawn and lo o'clock in the morning; 

 as at that time the flames are fanned up with 

 increasing fierceness. 



An aerial observation of the fire was made 

 each afternoon to determine the results of the 

 morning's work, to note any new outbreaks, 

 and to see what part of the line required 

 immediate attention. Daily during the pro- 

 gress of the fire the airplane broug'nt in 

 supplies and equipment. Without its serv- 

 ices the fire crews would have been hard 

 pressed for grub, for the first gang was aug- 

 mented by the arrival of drive gang Number 

 Two, including 32 men and also several 

 rangers and guides, making a totfl force of 

 60 men. The last party had purposely trav- 

 elled light in order to make the trip as speed- 

 ily as possible. Complete reliance had been 

 placed in the airplane to bring up the nec- 

 essary supplies and equipment. It never 

 failed in its duty, weathering smoke, wind 

 and rain, and all adverse flying conditions. 



Many of the fire-fighters had never seen an 

 airplane prior to the arrival of the patrol 

 machine on Lake Chienne. Their exclama- 

 tions of awe and admiration were umusing; 

 they marvelled at its size, the rapidity of its 

 descent to the water, and the ease and grace 

 with which it alighted on the lake. The mem- 

 bers of the gang who were fortunate enough 

 to touch the body or wings of the machine 

 were regarded as heroes by their comrades. 

 In the future they will frequently see an air- 

 plane flying over the country, for the air 

 patrol has come to stay as the watch-dog of 

 Canada's forest resources. 



The ability of an observer in an airplane to 

 detect a small trace of smoke at a long dis- 

 tance has been strikingly illustrated. In a 

 recent instance the observer saw smoke rising 

 from a lake shore some twenty miles off the 

 machine's course, and the plane was diverted 

 to this. Examination proved it to be a case 

 of brush-burning behind a camp. Knovving 

 that men were present and that there was no 

 hazard, the plane was continued on its 

 journey. 



The experience gained in the use of the 

 airplane in fighting this fire proved it to be 

 the most effective auxiliary available to learn 

 the exact condition of the fire. Anyone who 

 has fought forest fires knows what a num- 



Most of ber of false rumors and conflicting reports are brought 

 consider- to camp as to the location of the fire. A change of wind 



THE FORCES AT WORK TO CHECK DESTRUCTION 



Upper A natural heritage being consumed by the demon fire because 



"somebody was careless." 

 Middle No stove is needed by this cook in a woods camp. Bread and 



beans are baked in the sand, and other food over the fire. 

 Lower Unloading provisions for fire-fighting forces at work on Big Lake 



Chienne. 



