DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS FOR 1930 107 



(3) Expenditures 



The total expenditure for the year was $2,281,914.57, less $70,000.00 

 transferred to a charge against Forest Ranging to cover air operations in connec- 

 tion with that work, leaving the actual charge against Forest Fire Protection at 

 $2,211,914.57. The amount of fire tax collected for the year was $344,411.87. 



(4) Fires 



The season of 1930 was very similar to that of 1929 with every part of the 

 Province excepting the eastern Clay Belt region experiencing one or two 

 hazardous periods with the most critical situation developing in the Thunder 

 Bay District. The Hudson and Kenora Inspectorates which were hit the 

 hardest in 1929 escaped the most severe weather this year, the greatest hazard 

 developing further east and just reaching the westerly edge of the Clay Belt. 



As usual the spring hazard was the worst, the hot dry weather being accom- 

 panied by exceptionally strong winds. On June 2nd a terrific wind carried 

 many settelrs' slash-burning fires out of control and more damage was done on 

 that one day than during all the rest of the season together. 



Of the total area burned over, 711,809 acres, 448,033 acres were in the 

 Port Arthur Inspectorate and of this total one fire accounted for 173,350 acres. 

 This particular fire was discovered when it was quite small, but before it could 

 be extinguished it was fanned out of control by the gale of June 2nd, and within 

 thirty-six hours had covered an area some seventy miles long and two to four 

 miles wide. Men and equipment were placed at strategic points along the 

 edge of the burn just as rapidly as possible, but this took time and much strenuous 

 labour due to the inaccessibility of the area. However, it was possible to prevent 

 the fire spreading over any further great area and the fact that this spread was 

 less than five per cent, speaks volumes for those in charge. At one time 226 

 men were engaged on the fire with eighteen fire fighting pumps. Approximately 

 100 tons of freight was transported to the fire area by aircraft in addition to 

 that taken in by canoe. Actual fire fighting ended July 2nd but the burn was 

 patrolled for fear of further outbreaks until September 13th. The total cost of 

 extinguishing the fire was $71,778. The cause is thought to be an old Indian. 

 A considerable amount of very fine timber was killed which probably cannot be 

 salvaged at the present time. 



Of the total number of 1,402 fires fifty-four per cent, occurred before the 

 end of June and burned over ninety-four per cent, of the total area for the year. 



In spite of the high hazard at various times 70.9 per cent, of the fires were 

 confined to areas of 10 acres or less and 86.8 per cent, to areas of 100 acres or 

 less, with 3.3 per cent, reaching 1,000 acres and over. 



Regarding the causes of fires campers again accounted for the greatest 

 area burned, 77.5 per cent, of the total, with lightning coming next with 8.2 

 per cent. 



The timberland burned over totalled 399,583 acres of which the greater 

 part was west of Lake Nipigon. 



Of the total area burned 94 per cent, was in the territory west of Longlac 

 and Nakina. This was also true in 1929 and 1928. 



