166 REPORT OF THE No. 3 



The machines used (H.S. 2 L.) gave very satisfactory service, but in the 

 event of the Government purchasing new ones, there is a feeling among all con- 

 cerned that the efficiency of the Service would be increased by the purchase of 

 lighter and faster machines for detection work. 



Although the rainfall during the summer in question seemed above the 

 average and quite well distributed over the entire season, forty-seven D class 

 and one hundred and thirty-two A, B, and C class fires were recorded in the 

 western area. Seven hundred and ninety hours flying were used for fire patrol 

 and four hundred and eighty-three for suppression. 



A certain amount of growth study was done by the observers at Sioux 

 Lookout. Three plots were completed. At the time of year this work was 

 done the flies were numerous and the observers failed to show the same interest 

 in this that they did in their work as observer. 



In conclusion I would suggest that all requisitions, whether for transporta- 

 tion or fire patrol, be made through the observer, and in the case of transporta- 

 tion flights the observer should show on his flight report a list of all material 

 carried. In some cases he would be unable to check this personally but should 

 secure a list from the pilot or chief ranger. 



The installation of wireless on machines, and at the different bases, would 

 prove very useful providing the type installed was reliable in all weather and 

 capable of sending three hundred miles. 



Report on Aerial Sketching for the Year 1926 



The season's sketching programme was carried out from the following three 

 bases: Sioux Lookout, Longlac, and Oba Lake. Field operations commenced 

 June 5th at Sioux Lookout and were completed October 15th from Oba Lake. 



A total of 135 flying hours were employed in actual aerial reconnaisance, 

 and approximately 3,300 square miles were mapped in considerable detail. 



The field work for the season may be classified as follows: 



1. Sketching: 



(a) Sioux Lookout. — The field work at this station commenced on June 5th 

 and was completed July 23rd. During this time twenty-four flights, totalling 

 seventy hours, were made, approximately sixty-five of which were used in actual 

 sketching work. The remaining five hours were employed in transportation of 

 maps and supplies to forest survey parties working in the vicinity of Lac Seul. 



Five blocks totalling 2,250 square miles were mapped in these twenty-four 

 flights of sixty-five hours duration. About one-half of this area was located in 

 the vicinity of Lac Seul, the remainder lying east of Vermillion Lakes. Much 

 burn was in evidence over this latter area. The timber bordering Lac Seul, 

 however, particularly on the eastern shore, appeared in many places to be of 

 excellent quality and density. Burn again predominated north and west of 

 Wapesi Bay. 



(b) Longlac. — Four hundred and twenty-five square miles were sketched 

 from this base, taking a total of twenty-five hours for completion. This does 

 not include abandoned flights nor those made for transportation. The above 

 area was located north of the Transcontinental from Jobrin to Grant. Burn and 

 swamp predominated with generally poor timber. 



(c) Oba Lake. — Operations commenced September 22nd and mapping was 

 discontinued with the completion of the season's programme on October 18th. 

 Considerable unproductive flying took place from this base, due to the uncer- 

 tainty of weather conditions, and the necessity of completing the area in question . 



