Preserving Our Forests

There was always a concern about fires in the logging industry, but the problem was often ignored. In 1948, two forest fires - one near Chapleau and one in the Mississagi region - both started in May. These fires burned uncontrollably, eventually merging with each other in June. This conflagration became known as the Mississagi Forest Fire and it continued to burn until July.

More wood had been burned in the flames than had been logged in the 50 years preceding the fire. The small amount of timber that remained was low in quality, volume and value. Because of this fire, fire officials around the Mississagi River Valley started to get more concerned with fire protection and prevention. In 1923, several fire towers were built around Northern Ontario, joined by radio to lumber camps and Ranger Headquarters. There was also an air patrol program established, which became the Provincial Air Service.

In 1927, an attempt at reforestation was made around the Mississagi area, with the planting of white, red and scotch pine seedlings. Reforestation programs continue even today around the Mississagi River Valley.

The Forest Management Act was established in 1947 to control the logging in Ontario. An inventory was taken in 1953 to decide at which rate trees would be cut and replaced. The Thessalon Tree Nursery was built in 1956 as a local source of seedlings.

The different issues surrounding Forestry have caused many debates between people who see trees as anything from a bunch of useless plants to the most important natural resource, and everything in-between. These issues have been around since the very beginning of Forestry, possibly even before, and continue to exist today.