Report of the Department of Lands and Forests for fiscal year ending March 31, 1951 Page 44 



DIVISION OF FOREST PROTECTION 



FIRE AND HAZARD CONDITIONS 

 A study of fire statistics shows that the months of May, June and August were 

 the most hazardous periods. Early Spring fires during May represent almost half the 

 total number for the entire season and by far the greatest percentage of the acreage 

 burned over resulted from fires which occurred during that period. 



Smokers. Campers. Settlers and Railways were the four main fire causes 

 although the largest burned-over area resulted from Industrial clearing fires getting 

 out of control especially on power line development. Only 9 of the 985 fires which 

 occurred reached an area larger than 500 acres. The greater number were extinguished 

 while comparatively small. 



Apart from the 1939 fire season Ontario's fire losses were less in 1950 than at 

 any time since 1930. 



The area under Protection in 1950 was 173,000 square miles. 



^ net ex of- tables 



Table No. Page 



1. Radio communications -------------- Ab 



2. Means of fire detection — 1950 -----------46 



3. Classification of forest fires, by month --------47 



4. Classification of forest fires, by size ---------47 



5. Classification of forest fires, by origin --------40 



6. Classification of area burned over, by month ------ 49 



7. Classification of area burned over, by origin ------ 49 



8. Classification of area burned over, by forest type ----- 50 



9. Statement of work permits issued 1950-51 -------50 



10. Statement of fire permits issued 1950 ---------51 



11. Statement of travel permits issued 1950 --------51 



12. Classification of l.and burned over, by ownership ----- 51 



13. Fire damage table — 1950 -------------52 



14. Report of major equipment as of March 31, 1951 - - - - - SI 



15. Fire fighting resources (other th.an L. & F.) as of August 1, 

 IQSO -------------------- 54 



16. Total improvements completed TO March 31, 1951 - - - - - 54 



^naex of (^ncirts ana L^rai}n5 



Figure No. Page 



1. Forest fires in Ontario from 1941 to 1950 -------47 



2. .\cre.age burned by forest fires in Ontario from 1941 to 1950 - 51 



FIRE CONTROL PLANNING 



District fire protection plans were further developed and brought up to date. 

 A total of six hundred men working in forested areas were given brief courses of 

 instruction in fire prevention and suppression. Several new developments in forest 

 protection methods and techniques were applied, chiefly on an experimental basis. 



1. The use of helicopters in fire fighting and experimentation on pumping water 

 direct from an air borne helicopter on a fire. 



2. Trials were conducted with a fire-line-building plow designed for such use by the 

 Michigan State Forest Service. 



