DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1928 105 



As it has been found that in most years some of the operating bases of the 

 Western District are free of ice before it is possible to fly machines away from 

 SaultSte. Marie, it was decided to keep at least two of the Moth aircraft at Sioux 

 Lookout over the winter months so that they would be available for patrol 

 immediately conditions there permitted. 



In order that this might be put into effect, a suitable hangar was built at 

 Sioux Lookout, capable of housing four or five Moth aircraft. Thus at the 

 termination of summer operations, both machines and engines are overhauled 

 there and equipped with skiis, thus being available for winter flying when required. 



Detection. 



As in previous years, the requisitions for fire detection were controlled by 

 the District Foresters and patrols were carried out according to their require- 

 ments. 



During the period under review, 1,736.10 hours flying was carried out in 

 connection with fire detection work. The greater part of the time was flown by 

 Moth aircraft though the H.S.2.L. was also employed for this work when fire 

 hazard and other conditions necessitated it. 



Suppression. 



A very great amount of suppression work was carried oiit, especially in the 

 western part of the province. A very severe fire in the Cairns Lake District was 

 combated entirely by means of aircraft, as this district was entirely inaccessible 

 by any other means except a long and devious canoe route which would have 

 rendered operations on this fire impossible except by aircraft. 



Some 300 odd hours' flying were carried out by aircraft in connection with 

 this one fire. Split canoes were carried out on all H.S.2.L. machines, thereby 

 enabling those fighting the fire to have some means of movement whilst operating 

 in the areas of conflagration. 



A considerable amount of suppression work was also carried out by the 

 H.S.2.L. boat stationed in the Long Lac District. 



It is thus becoming more evident every year of operation that the sup- 

 pression type of aircraft is a vital necessity, especially in those parts of the 

 Patricia District inaccessible except by canoe, and where each year sees an in- 

 creasing traffic of prospectors through the bush, thus considerably increasing 

 fire hazard. 



Sketching. 



The hours flown during the 1928 season on classification of forest types 

 again showed an increase over previous years. The majority of this sketching 

 was in the Rainy River District and carried out by the machines stationed at 

 Fort Frances and Shebandowan. The temporary base at Eva Lake, which was 

 used in 1927 for this purpose, was again utilized, but only as a refuelling base 

 when occasion and conditions necessitated it. 



Photography. 



Topographical survey accounted for 163.15 hours. 

 This figure covers both vertical and oblique photography. 



Instruction. 



As it was decided that a future policy of the service would be to train its 

 own pilots as far as possible, a winter school of instruction was started at Sioux 

 Lookout. For this purpose Moth aircraft equipped with skiis were used. 



5 L.F. 



