94 



REPORT OF THE 



No. 3 



(4) Fires 



Considering the Province as a whole the season was, like 1924, 1925 and 1926, 

 particularly favourable for forest fire control. In the latter part of April and 

 the early part of May conditions in some districts indicated a season of high 

 hazard, 14.4 per cent, of the total number of all fires for the season occurring 

 in April and 12.4 per cent, in May, with areas burned over of 13.9 per cent, and 

 12.9 per cent, respectively, of the total area burned for the season. During 

 the latter part of May, however, the hazard moderated and during the month 

 of June and most of July was sub-normal. In the month of August and the 

 first two weeks of September the hazard in the territory bordering on Georgian 

 Bay and the North Channel of Lake Huron became exceptionally high, in fact 

 the highest since forest fire protection was placed under the jurisdiction of the 

 Forestry Branch in 1917, 30.9 per cent, of the total number of fires occurring 

 in August and 16.1 per cent, in September with the areas burned over forming 

 47.5 per cent, and 3.7 per cent, respectively of the total area. The hazard in 

 other districts remained low. 



The total number of fires for the season was 924 and the total area burned 

 over 35,742 acres, only 2.6 per cent, of which was merchantable timber. That 

 greater loss was not suffered in the districts with the high hazard in August and 

 September can be attributed to the untiring efforts of the local organizations, 

 from the District Foresters down to the ordinary fire rangers and to the supply 

 of fire-fighting equipment available. 



Campers continue to be the chief cause of fires with a total of 28.6 per cent. 



Of the total number of 924 fires, 26.8 per cent, were confined to areas of 

 one-quarter acre or less and 76.9 per cent, to areas of ten acres or less. 



That there is an increased appreciation on the part of the general public of 

 the importance of forest fire protection is evidenced by the fact that 30.1 per 

 cent, of the total number of fires were reported to the protection organization 

 by those having no direct connection. 



CLASSIFICATION OF FOREST FIRES 

 By Month 



