18 REPORT OF THE No. 7 



The fire-fighting force during the past year was subjected to the severest 

 test of its existence. Abnormal fire hazards occurred in every district of the 

 province. The number of fires was 1,550, or nearly three times those of 1928, and 

 yet the burned area in territory under protection was limited to 625,643 acres. 

 Of this area over ninety per cent, was in the north-west part of the* province, 

 lying west of Lake Nipigon. 



A redeeming feature of the situation was the fact that the timber land burned 

 over was less than twenty per cent, of the total area burned. Certain fires 

 occurred in the districts that were beyond the reach of the patrol and fighting 

 staff, a circumstance which justifies the need of additional air craft and other 

 necessities to meet new conditions arising in outlying parts due to mining and 

 exploration activities. Campers, including prospectors, berry pickers and tourists 

 accounted for no less than 26.7 per cent, of the fires, lightning for 16.1 per cent.; 

 railways for 12 per cent.; smokers 10.3 per cent.; settlers, 7.2 per cent., and 

 logging operations, road-building and miscellaneous causes (including unknown — 

 18 per cent.) accounted for the balance, ^ee Part II of this report for details. 



_ _ X 



Forest Surveys 



Aerial forest type mapping was carried on largely in the Nipigon area, 

 although late in the season some eight townships in the provisional County of 

 Haliburton, in old Ontario, were covered. In the former section 12,000 square 

 miles were undertaken as a preliminary inventory of timber resources. 



Aerial photograph survey was conducted in five separate operations covering 

 some 2,000 miles, part of the work being based on vertical photos and part on 

 obliques. 



Eighteen radio stations were operated during the year at various points. 

 See complete reference in Part II. 



Reforestation 



Nursery operations on an extensive scale were continued at the different 

 stations, a comprehensive report on which may be had by referring to 1 Part II 

 of this report. 



Revenue 



In over 100 years since the appointment of the first Commissioner of Crown 

 Lands in 1827-28, when the timber revenue was a few hundred dollars, the gross 

 revenue of the department was the largest in 1929. The sum of $5,059,878.20 

 was collected and of this $4,326,344.99 is directly due to timber administration, 

 the balance to the sale and lease of lands, water powers, rentals, land tax and 

 incidental items. Of the total received $3,729,554.12 was ordinary revenue and 

 $1,330,324.08 capital. This represents an increase of ordinary revenue over the 

 previous year by $172,091.43 and of capital by $146,557.46. 



The timber revenue includes ground rent and fire protection charges which 

 account for $462,867.91. 



Rentals on Crown leases, water powers, etc., netted $243,645.74. 



For details respecting source and figures of revenue see Appendices 3 to 6 

 inclusive. 



|Mf It is not anticipated that the revenue for the coming year will be nearly so 

 much. While in certain sections the timber cut may equal last year's the material 

 is lower priced and this will be reflected in a reduced revenue. 



