Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/albertaforestserOOmurp Dedication In grateful memory of all those many men and women who have dedicated their careers, and in some cases given their lives, to managing the public trust embodied in the forests of Alberta. These people have brought us through an astounding evolution from the pioneer hardships of life in the bush 100 years ago to the creativity and innovation of the information age. All this is due to their dedication to the ideal of forests that will provide environmental, economic and social benefits for generations to come. Those who love our forests and wildland environment today owe a debt of gratitude to these persistent, creative and colourful men and women. The authors hope this book will be part of that tribute, and also an opportunity for generations of the 21st century to discover what it takes to manage 405,758 sq km of public forest - an area almost three times the size of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia combined. Readers are encouraged to provide any feedback or clarification, or additional stories and photographs for possible future publications. Please contact the Forest History Association of Alberta. The Alberta Forest Service, 1930-2005: Protection and Management of Alberta's Forests ISBN No. 0-7785-4519-9 Pub No. 1/133 ©2006 by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Government of Alberta, Canada The photographs used in this book come from a variety of sources and are now in almost all cases in the possession of the authors. In the photo credits used in the book, the specific collection is listed when appropriate, and the letters AFHPC are used to indicate Alberta Forest History Photographic Collection. For more information on the photographs please contact the authors. Measurements are generally presented in the form, imperial or metric, appropriate to the time period under discussion. A conversion table is provided at the end of this book. Main cover photo: Willis Millar, Inspector of Forest Reserves, 1911 Alberta Forest Service Protection and management of Alberta's forests 1930 - 2005 Authors: Peter J. Murphy, Bob Stevenson, Dennis Quintilio and Steve Ferdinand Management Team: Bruce Mayer, Anne Mclnerney, Deanna McCullough, Patrick Loewen Production Management: David Holehouse, MediaMatch West Communications Inc. Design: Studio X Design & Illustration; Proofreading: Bob New^stead Champion: Cliff Henderson Four ivell-knozun and highly-regarded veterans of Alberta's forest management and fire protection community present a collation of records, anecdotes, experiences and archival photographs that tell the story of forest management and protection in Alberta from the earliest days of aboriginal use and settlement to 2005. This detailed and informative book will be of value to those interested in forest issues, those who contributed their stories and to all those who share a passion for the great public forests of Alberta. Special thanks go out to all the people who participated in the 'can you tell me luho is in the picture' exercise; their time and input is appreciated. They helped identify photographs and people that capture the history of the Alberta Forest Service. About the authors: Peter Murphy is a Professor Emeritus in Forestry at the University of Alberta, v^^here he taught and conducted research in forest poUcy and forest fire management from 1973 to 1995. During this time he also served as Chair of Forest Science and Associate Dean for Forestry. After graduating from the University of New Brunswick in 1953, he worked for the B.C. Forest Service, moving to Alberta in 1954 with the Alberta Forest Service (AFS). In 1956 he became head of the AFS Training Branch that led to establishing the Forestry Training School (now Hinton Training Centre) in 1960. He completed an MScF at the University of Montana in 1963 and PhD at the University of British Columbia in 1985. His particular interests are in forest policy, forest fire behaviour, fire history and history of forestry. He co-authored Learning from the Forest, a book detailing 40 years of forest management at Hinton for Weldwood of Canada with Bob Bott and forestry colleague Bob Udell. Peter and Bob Stevenson have compiled a collection of more than 7,400 historic forestry photographs available on CD. Peter's professional contributions include Chair of the Technical Committee (TC) on Sustainable Forest Management for Canadian Standards Association 1998-present and member of TC from 1994; President, Canadian Institute of Forestry 1993-94; President of the Forest History Society Inc. (Durham, NC) 1993-95; President, Alberta Registered Professional Foresters Association 1985-86, and member of the Forest Management Science Council, Alberta, 1996 to 1999. Bob Stevenson is a retired forester who spent 20 years with the Canadian Forest Service (CFS) from 1960 to 1980, including educational leave for an MSc at the University of Idaho in the early 1960s. His CFS work involved forest protection studies and numerous forest extension programs throughout Alberta and the NWT with industry, government, educational institutions and the public. In 1980 he transferred to the Alberta Fish and Wildlife Division as Director of Public Information and Extension Services and later Head of Commercial Wildlife, retiring in 1992. During this time he was instrumental in preparing and managing numerous high-profile publications, many of which are common today. Much of this effort involved the transfer of information and technology to a variety of user groups including the forest industry. Bob has continued to support the Canadian Institute of Forestry throughout his career and is also a member of the Forest History Association of Alberta. Bob has worked with Peter Murphy to complete a CD containing upwards of 7,400 historic forestry images, most of which pre-date 1930. Bob also serves as custodian of historic forestry memorabilia for the Alberta government. Steve Ferdinand is a retired forester who obtained his BScF from the University of British Columbia in 1960. He then joined North Western Pulp & Power Ltd. (later Weldwood of Canada and now West Fraser Mills) in Hinton, Alberta, where he worked for 13 years in forest inventory, harvest planning and silviculture. Steve joined the AFS in March, 1974, and worked in various positions for the next 28 years, including liaison with AFS regional staff and in silviculture/reforestation, woods operations and forest recreation. Prior to his retirement in 2002, Steve spent two years in the Integrated Resource Management Division of Alberta Environment. Dennis Quintilio worked as a Fire Behaviour Specialist in Alberta for 24 years prior to assuming a management position with the government in 1990. From 1967-1974 he was stationed at the Northern Forestry Centre as study leader and worked on early design and implementation of the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System. He was appointed Project Leader in 1975 and continued to refine fire behaviour prediction elements of the system through study of large-scale experimental burns. From 1980 to 1990, he taught at the Forest Technology School which offered a two-year diploma in Forestry, and coordinated all in-service fire management training in Alberta. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Dennis was also a practising Fire Behaviour Officer and served on the AFS Fire Investigation Team. Dennis became Director of the Forest Technology School in the fall of 1990. In 1995, he assumed the position of Executive Director, Forest Management Division, Alberta Environmental Protection, and in 1999 was appointed Executive Director of the Integrated Resource Management Division (IRM) responsible for implementation of IRM in Alberta. Dennis retired in June of 2001 after 34 years of forestry practice in Alberta. He has a BScF and an MSc degree from the University of Montana, is a member of the College of Alberta Professional Foresters, and has a list of 25 publications to his credit. Ranger Dexter Champion on horse Brownie with dog Train, on patrol, head of PIncher Cteek, 1942 Jay Champion Table of Contents Page One Early Days 2 Two Birth of the Alberta Forest Service 28 Three A Way of Life 42 Four Momentous Change 80 Five Lookouts and Communications 120 Six 1966 - 1984 162 Seven The Use of Aircraft , 216 Eight 1985 - 1992 246 Nine 1993 - 2005 282 Ten Fire in Alberta 346 Eleven Alberta Forest Service Leaders Reflect 400 Epilogue 414 References and Suggested Further Reading 416 Chart 1 Directors of Forestry and Division Heads, 1930 - 2005 424 Chart 2 Executive and Forest Superintendents, 1930 - 2005 432 Graph 1 Area Burned, 1930 - 2004 440 Graph 2 Volume Harvested, 1931 - 2002 441 Graph 3 Area Harvested, 1937 - 2003 442 Graph 4 Seedlings Planted, 1961 - 2004 443 Ranger Stations and Cabins 444 AFS Museum 480 History of Posters 484 CHAPTER 1 Early Days Forest Origins The glacial ice that covered much of Alberta began to melt between 10,000 and 12,000 years ago, sculpting the uplands and lowlands, the fertile meadows and rocky outcrops that sustain the native plants and animals of today. As the ice disappeared, plants such as sedges and willows returned, followed by trees. The predominant tree species, then and today, were coniferous spruce, pine, fir and tamarack, in company with deciduous poplar, aspen and white birch. As the plants returned so did the animals, and human beings were not far behind. Along with trees and people came wildfires. It was under all these dynamic influences of soils, climate, fire and people that the forests of Alberta were established. Today they represent some of the most diverse landscapes in the world. The first people of the forest were aboriginal hunters and gatherers, living on and with the land. There is evidence that they also managed their environment through the use of fire to clear certain forest areas for ease of travel and to encourage the plants and animals on which they depended for life. The first Europeans, arriving after the mid- 1700s, were mostly interested in furs for the Aboriginal family north of Hinton, 1913 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC European market. Missionaries and settlers followed the traders, and all were frequently challenged by extensive wildfires that threatened their homes, livestock, timber and water supplies. Concerns about this threat eventually led to the formation of an organized forest service in Alberta. Forest Use Most of Alberta's forests are located on Crown (public) lands, meaning governments have the major responsibility for forest management. This designation evolved from early colonial regulations requiring that timber be preserved and kept as a strategic reserve for use by Britain's military shipbuilding industry. In 1826 this Crown reservation of timber was modified to allow public sale of timber that was deemed 'not fit and proper" for Britain's Royal Navy. These new regulations for the sale of timber contained four clauses, which set lasting precedents. The clauses included continued Crown ownership of forested land, leasing of harvesting rights, selling timber by auction or tender, and allocation of cutting permits that were renewable if certain conditions were met. The government of the United Provinces of Upper and Lower Canada enacted An Act for the Sale and Betterment of Timber upon Public Lands in 1849. This legislation incorporated the principles of 1826, and formed a model for later forest laws within the ' - provinces and on Dominion lands. !1^H Most significantly, it continued the "^^B arrangement under which timber- harvesting rights were leased while ^ the forestland remained in public ownership. This fundamental concept remains in force on Alberta's provincially-owned Crown land to the present day (2005). The land now called Alberta was Alberta Forest Service partly contained within Rupert's Land, the area granted in 1670 to the Governor and Company of Adventurers of England Trading into Hudson Bay, or what became known as the Hudson's Bay Company. After Confederation in 1867, Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald, negotiated the purchase of Rupert's Land to help realize his vision of a Canada stretching from sea to sea. By 1870 he had succeeded in this. Britain granted its other northern lands on the continent and Canada became owner of the North West Territories. Macdonald created a Department of the Interior to manage this huge area, parts of which would become the Provinces of Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. At that time the founding provinces in central Canada had been granted control of their forested lands and resources. However, Macdonald had been concerned about timber supplies and forest fires. He thought it would be a "very good thing," as he explained to his friend Sandfield Macdonald,^ that since the Dominion government had no direct interest in the subject, and since forests were a provincial responsibility in central Canada, that Ontario and Quebec should set up a joint commission to examine: 1) the best means of cutting the timber after some regulated plan, as in Norway and on the Baltic, 2) replanting so as to keep up the supply as in Germany and Norway, and 3) the best means of protecting the woods from fires. His concerns were later reflected in policies for prairie forests as well. In the region that would become Alberta, the strongest initial demand for wood had been for firewood. Construction logs and fence posts were next, with coniferous white spruce and lodgepole pine being the species most often used for these purposes. Demand for boards was limited, and they were mostly sawn by hand in Pit-sawing lumber, Fort Smith, NWT, 1900 Provincial Arctiives of Alberta sawpits or frames. A good two-man team could saw up to 25 planks a day. Gradually a few small, mechanized sawmills began to supply lumber for local needs. Oblate missionaries at the Lac La Biche Mission built Alberta's first powered sawmill, a converted gristmill driven by water. The waterwheel was rebuilt to a diameter of 15 feet and the mill began sawing in 1871, producing over 250 planks per day when the water was flowing and the homemade belts stayed on. The Dominion Lands Act of 1872 enabled the federal government to sell timber cutting rights through Timber Berths and a variety of permits. It also provided authority to exclude timberlands from sale and settlement. This authority was later used to establish the first Forest Reserves. The Act also required timber operators to prevent the ignition and spread of fires. Wildfire Problems Despite the good intentions of forestry staff and enforcement of regulations by the North West Mounted Police, fire problems continued to grow. Even in 1883, when Prime Minister Macdonald appointed J.H. Morgan as a one-man commission to "examine into and make a Preliminary report on the subject of the protection of the forests of the Dominion," fire was a major concern. In his sweeping report of 1885, Morgan's remarks included the following: "Enough has been shown to make it evident that it is the duty of our Government to adopt measures, immediately, to arrest further destruction of our remaining forests (except under some very improved system of supervision), and to replant, where practicable, the high lands which were formerly covered with forest trees, and also to devise or adopt some Early Days plan or system of forest plantations for the great stepped [prairie] region of the North-West. "In any system that may be adopted by Canada, special care should be given to see that provision is made for the fullest enforcement of the laws. The Government of the Dominion should, without loss of time, appoint a Forest Ghost River fire, c. 1915, Bow River Forest Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Commission, to co-operate with a similar Commission from every Province in the Dominion, to deal with this all-important question of the protection of our old forests and the production of new forests."^ These general aims underpinned Canadian forest management policies for more than a century afterwards. Morgan also commented on four other items which remained key issues for the next 70 years: not knowing the extent and nature of forest resources, the undesirable consequences of uncontrolled cutting and fires, the need to organize a system of forest management, and the importance of forestry schools to train qualified staff. Prairie fires continued to be a persistent and growing problem. The Department of the Interior first discussed the need for firebreaks, seasonal fire guardians and organized volunteer fire brigades in its Annual Report in 1886. That same year, the Council of the North West Territories passed an ordinance establishing fire districts and appointing fire guardians. The North West Mounted Police were spread very thinly throughout the country. making it difficult for them to effectively enforce the fire ordinances. They also reported that local Justices of the Peace were usually reluctant to prosecute fire violators. For whatever reasons, settlers seemed to have a fatalistic approach to prairie fires, confounding efforts by the department to encourage ploughing of firebreaks. This growing problem set the stage for formation of a forestry agency within the federal government. Advocates promoted the need to protect forests on Dominion lands. Other goals included setting up Forest Reserves to protect water supply, managing the forests to ensure a supply of wood for settlers, and planting trees on the prairies to provide timber and localized climate benefits. The Dominion Forestry Branch On July 24, 1899, the Wilfrid Laurier government in Ottawa passed an Order in Council to create the post of Chief Inspector of Timber and Forestry in the DAD KNOWS THE SAFE CAMP-FIRE ^1 THE KTND YOu'cAN COOK OVER TRAPPERS! BE CAREFUL WITH FIRE i NO FORESTS-NO FISH, BE CAREFUL/ Early fire control posters Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Department of the Interior. This was the start of what would become Canada's largest organized forest service for the next 31 years - the Dominion Forestry Branch (DFB). It was responsible for forests in Canada's interior western region that later became Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories. On August 15, 1899 Elihu Stewart was appointed Canada's first Dominion Forester in Ottawa. During his first year as Chief Inspector he made two trips west through Manitoba, present-day Saskatchewan and Alberta and parts of British Columbia, five months in all to see more of the western forests first-hand. After his journey, Stewart stated that there would be two great divisions to the work of his branch, both of which deserved careful attention: the protection and management of the present forested areas, and the encouragement of tree planting on the prairies. At the same time, the sale of timber was important for revenue. Timber sales and revenue were handled by the federal Timber and Grazing Branch, while the DFB was responsible for inspections, forest protection and forestland management. The appointment of the first two rangers in what was to become the Province of Alberta took place in 1899. Ranger D.G. McPhail worked under the supervision of C.L Gouin, who was in charge of the Calgary Timber Agency. The other ranger, John A.C. York boat, Saulteaux Landing, Lesser Slave Forest Reserve, 1911 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Elihu Stewart, first Dominion Forester Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Cameron, was responsible to Thomas Anderson, head of the agency at Edmonton.3 Increasing populations and resultant political activities in what is now Alberta led to a request by the NWT Council for provincial status. The council advocated one new province, to be called Assiniboia, with control of its natural resources. However, in 1905 Parliament instead established the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, while retaining federal control of natural resources. With natural resources in federal control, an interesting 25-year period of duality of governance began in which forestry, wildlife and public lands activities were handled by the federal government. As a result, the DFB continued to develop its operations in Alberta. For the most part, this worked well, but some disputes between the two levels of government arose when responsibilities collided. For example, DFB staff complained at one point that brush disposal on provincial roads created fire hazards and provincial cooperation to improve the situation was lacking. Dominion staff also commented that settlers in forested areas berated them for not fighting fires in those areas, while in fact the province - whose fire wardens began wearing a special uniform in the spring of 1911 - had responsibility for settlement areas and would not appoint DFB staff as fire guardians. The situation changed in 1921 when Alberta amended the Forest and Prairie Fire Protection Act to give DFB staff and fire rangers ex officio authority to enforce provincial legislation. Early Days Forest Reserves The Forest Reserve system was the most prominent DFB program prior to 1930. Even before the DFB was created in 1899, the federal government had started to set aside five areas in Alberta as possible Forest Reserves. These reserves, identified by federal departmental order, were Cooking Lake, Foothills, Kootenay Forest Park, Louise Lake Park, and Sand Park. In those early years the forested areas of the North West Territories, including the future province of Alberta, were vast and government resources were very limited. Stewart decided to focus his efforts on a system of Forest Reserves covering the most important areas. Flis early surveys laid the groundwork for the first Forest Reserves Act of 1906. Most of the areas that were previously excluded from settlement by departmental order were now confirmed in legislation as Forest Reserves, and many new ones were also declared. The total area reserved in Alberta in 1906 was 6.2 million acres, including Cypress Hills and Cooking Lake, and the entire southern Construction near completion on new gateway into the Bow River Forest, c. 1915 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC East Slopes. This was a good start but there were many other candidate areas to examine, so forest surveys were extended. These covered a wide band including the northern foothills and the boreal forests from Lac La Biche west through Lesser Slave Lake and Whitecourt to the British Columbia boundary, and north through Grande Prairie and Peace River. These forest surveys were conducted through 1915 and led by notable foresters such as J.A. Doucet, PZ. Caverhill, G.H. DOMINION FOREST RESERVES IN ALBERTA - 1915 1 t^^Jmm^M^^X^MM^ aH ■ _ Headquarters m Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve Calgary 17,529/11.218 Crowsnest Forest 1,544 Blairmore Bow River Forest 3,089 Calgary Clearwater Forest 4,247 Rocky Mtn House Brazeau Forest 4,633 Coalspur Athabasca Forest 3,861 Hinton Cooking Lake Forest Reserve Edmonton 27/0.017 Cypress Hills Forest Reserve Calgary 156/0.100 Lesser Slave Forest Reserve Slave Lake 5,023/3.215 Total Area of Forest Reserves 22,735/14.550 Areas above interpolated from Annual Reports of the Director of Forestry, Department of tlie Interior, Ottawa, for tfie fiscal years ending 31 Marcfi 1913 and 1914. The Athabasca Forest, in the foothills region around Hinton/Edson, was sometimes, but not consistently spelled Athabaska. Alberta Forest Service Forestry float in Calgary Stampede parade, 1920s Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Edgecombe and R.H. Campbell. Elihu Stewart explained the visionary rationale behind this land allocation to Forest Reserves in his 1901 report: "The Dominion government should know in advance of settlement the character of the unsettled districts, so as to direct immigration aright; so that mineral land might be set aside as such, agricultural land developed to the agriculturist and land unsuited for agriculture but on which timber is growing reserved permanently for timber/' 4 The Forest Reserves and Parks Act of 1911 added significant lands to existing forest reserves and also defined expansion of the national parks. The most prominent of these Forest Reserve areas were on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. In 1911 an additional 2.97 million acres were added to the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve (RMFR) bringing it to 9.52 million acres. This was in addition to Rocky Mountains Park (Banff), Jasper Forest Park and Kootenay Forest Park (later renamed Waterton Lakes National Park), previously reserved from 1899 to 1906. The RMFR was deemed the most important in the western provinces "as it is on a timbered area lying alongside of a prairie country hundreds of miles in extent which is almost devoid of trees. Also, it forms the watershed for the river systems which water the great plains to the east where the water supply is practically the only limit to anticipated settlement and development."^ In 1913 the RMFR was expanded yet again, and the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve was created in 1914. These were among the last of the Forest Reserves to be established. None of the other northern areas surveyed and recommended was granted this status, although their areas were significant. The total area of Forest Reserves in Alberta peaked at 14.55 million acres. An additional parcel of land near Wainwright was set aside to house the "Pablo" herd of buffalo purchased in Montana. In 1908, this land was called Buffalo National Park, but it was not given the formal designation of national park until 1913 under the Forest Reserves and Parks Act. The area ceased to be a national park and became a military training Ranger McDonald on makeshift lookout, near Brazeau Forest HQ, c. 1912 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFIHPC Ranger Lyndon and his wife, in the Porcupine Hills, c. 1920. Note DFB badge on vest. Women were important partners at the ranger stations Sir Alexander Gait IVIuseum & Archives, Lethbridge Alberta Forest Service H.R. MacMillan (L) and Willis Millar in Idaho, 1908 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC ground in 1940. By this time the park had served its purpose well, with bison well established in several other national parks. The site today is used by the Canadian Armed Forces as Land Forces Western Area Training Centre. R.H. Campbell became Director of Forestry when Elihu Stewart left the position in 1906. He observed that the western Forest Reserves were together larger than the province of Nova Scotia. The average size of reserves in 1914 was 460,700 acres. In one district in Alberta, he said, the inspector could not cover his whole territory even once a year if he travelled the entire time. Therefore, he decreed, each Forest Reserve was to be divided into ranger districts varying in size according to the needs of the country, from 20,000 to 500,000 acres. Campbell also noted in his report for 1910-11 that the objective of the U.S. national forest organization was to have one ranger for every 100 square miles. After Alberta's Forest Reserves were expanded in 1913 there were 59 rangers for 14.55 million acres, or one ranger for every 400 square miles. Staff had to do more with less, right from the start. The rest of the forested area of Alberta was protected by a Supervisor of Fire Ranging in Calgary who hired seasonal fire rangers. In 1930 there were about 50 of them to patrol more than 98.8 million acres in the Fire Ranging Districts, an average of two million acres each. Within the Forest Reserves a small number of personnel worked diligently to do the job required Pelletier Mill near Coleman, Crowsnest Forest. Pole road In foreground bore carriages on metal wheels to carry logs, 1911 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Fire prevention sign along the Athabasca River, Fort McMurray, 1922 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC of them. One focus was prevention of wildfires and monitoring of logging operations; another was monitoring of slash burning in the forest and brush burning in settlement areas. Along the forest boundaries rangers encouraged prairie residents to establish and maintain fuel breaks and fireguards around buildings and haystacks. They pursued a fire prevention campaign that focused on education. Willis N. Millar moved to Alberta from the U.S. Forest Service in 1911 to work as Inspector of Forest Reserves with an office in Calgary. He was a Yale forestry graduate in the same class as H.R. MacMillan, who also worked for DFB from 1906 to 1912. During Millar's time in Alberta, he travelled extensively to organize and extend the Forest Reserves. One of his major contributions was a comprehensive survey and report on wildlife in the Rocky Mountains, published as Bulletin 51, DFB, in 1915. His vision and recommendations for wildlife protection were far-reaching and served as the basis for protected areas along the eastern slopes. Millar left in 1914 to teach forestry at the University of Toronto. Early Days Forest Rangers Once Forest Reserves were established, ranger districts were set up. Each district had headquarters located within the Forest Reserve. A house and barn, generally made of logs, provided a base from which to patrol each district. Each ranger was expected to protect the district from fire and illegal logging, open up new trails and roads, and build and maintain telephone lines that connected his district with others. All logging operations were monitored to ensure regulations were being observed and the "cut" was within limits. A major effort involved the development of a network of trails and cabins along patrol routes for fire access and to connect each forest district. The trails' importance was highlighted in 1913 when Inspector Willis Millar wrote specifications for three categories: primary, secondary and auxiliary.^ The idea was to ensure that the primary trails were "good" ones and that not too much effort v - i T ; * ^ was put into the others. Specifications for the primary trails ^ ^Z'^^^. ^ included 10-15 per ^ ^. r > .j;^-,;-^- : . ;^ cent maximum grades, 7-10 foot clearings, overhead clearance of 10 feet and a "tread" of Pack string nearing summit with loolcout construction items Moose IVIountain Trail, Bow River Forest, 1928 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Inspector Abraham Knechtel inspects settler's improvements on Cypress Hills Forest Reserve, 1909 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC 16-18 inches cleared of all stumps, roots and rock. Many of these trails began as aboriginal travel routes. Some trails followed rivers and were used by fur brigades while others were built to connect one valley route to another. Some of these early trails later became foothill and mountain roads such as the Forestry Trunk Road and the connecting recreational and resource roads. Similarly, many popular camping spots today are also the same locations used by aboriginal people and the first explorers. Early foresters and rangers used prominent ridges, high hills and mountain-top locations for fire lookouts. Stopover cabins were well- constructed log buildings. These were initially built along major trails and generally at intervals of a day's travel by horse, or about 15 miles. Some of the original cabins are still serviceable, a mute testament to their durability. A few, such as the Gregg River Cabin, south of Hinton, constructed around 1917, have been recognized as registered historical sites. In 1911, R.H. Campbell, Director of Forestry, presented a list of what the qualifications of a forest ranger should be. He began by stating that: "the success of forest administration rests to a very large degree on the intelligence, the faithfulness and the practicability of the forest ranging staff. The work of a forest ranger is arduous and requires a man of energy and strong physique. The qualifications for appointment as a forest ranger should be as follows: "He should be between the ages of twenty-five and forty. "He should be sober, industrious and physically fit. "He should be able to read and write and have sufficient knowledge of arithmetic to transact the ordinary business of the reserve, such as calculating the dues on permits. "He should be able to handle horses and to ride. Alberta Forest Service Sturm's Sawmill, Cypress Hills Forest Reserve, 1910 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC "He should be experienced in work in the woods, should be accustomed to handling an axe and should be able to estimate and scale timber. "He should be able to handle a gang of firefighters or men working on roads or trails." ^ To this list, forester and inspector of Forest Reserves Abraham Knechtel added the ability to "locate and estimate timber, do a logging job, run a sawmill, build log houses and have education enough to report intelligently to the department." H.R. MacMillan of the DFB described similar principles, pointing out that forest supervisors were responsible for areas encompassing over a million acres that involved over $10 million-worth of government property. Within these areas, he noted: "the average forest ranger had charge over 200,000 acres estimated to be worth at least 10 dollars an acre for timber." Therefore, the means for choosing good people had to be instituted. MacMillan also recommended in- service upgrading through a training school for rangers, but it would be almost 40 years before this came about in Alberta. The early Dominion forest rangers were hired from among local Alberta settlers, ranchers, trappers and loggers. They tended to be independent of mind and spirit, and included such stalwarts as "Posthole" Smith, Boer War veteran and rancher in the Porcupine Hills. Others were Fred Nash at Turner Valley, whose horses were Loading Norwegian reindeer on barge at Athabasca Landing for 500-mile trip to Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, September, 1911 Glenbow Archives NA-2788-26 always a forestry feature at the Calgary Stampede; Bill Shankland, another Boer War veteran from Nordegg and Bragg Creek who always rode tall in the saddle and who led Alberta's first Forest Ranger training school in 1946; Jack Glen, a First World War veteran who built many of the trails and cabins west of Entrance and captured his experiences in his memoirs, and Albert Foley, the ranger from Swan River in the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve, the first in a four-generation line of Alberta rangers. Increasing Use of the Forest The concept of multiple-use of forestlands was clearly recognized by the DFB. There was a belief that "protected" or well- managed forests would provide many benefits to many people. Watershed protection, wood for settlers, grazing and recreation were among the values considered. Abraham Knechtel described the purpose of the Forest Reserves in 1910: "The Dominion Forest Reserves are intended to preserve and produce a perpetual supply of timber for the people of the prairie, the homesteaders' needs being considered of the first importance. They are not intended to furnish wood for the lumber trade. Hence the policy of the Department is favourable to small mills rather than to large ones which need large tracts of forest and manufacture lumber beyond the needs of the settlers. To furnish wood is primarily the purpose of Parliament in the creation of the reserves. To be sure, our legislators are not Early Days unmindful of other blessings of the forest. They are well aware that forests feed springs, prevent floods, hinder erosion, shelter from storms, give health and recreation, protect game and fish, and give the country aesthetic features. However, the Dominion Forest Reserve policy has for its motto, 'Seek ye first the production of wood and its right use and all these other things will be added unto it.'g There were some specific initiatives in respect to other uses. Recreation in Forest Reserves and national parks was tempered by fire-prevention considerations. The approach was to congregate people in safe camping areas where woody fuels were removed and trees pruned to prevent campfires from escaping and spreading. This resulted in the first designated campgrounds. Posters urged campers and forest travellers to prevent forest fires. Grazing was also promoted as a fire- prevention measure within the Forest Reserves. Cattle reduced the accumulation of dry grass and created trails that could serve as fuel breaks. Leases encouraged ranchers to become partners in protecting the forest. In northern areas, contact with aboriginal communities centred on trappers and hunters who might prevent fires and serve as guardians of the forest. Wildlife projects such as the experiment to establish reindeer near Fort Smith, NWT from 1911 to 1915 involved some DFB staff. Later, in the mid-1920s when plains bison Aura Ranger Station (now Ghost Ranger Station), Bow River Forest, northwest ot Calgary, 1923. The stone cross was an identifying marker that could be seen by passing aircraft Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC from Buffalo Park at Wainwright were moved to the Fort Smith area, DFB staff members were involved in transferring the bison to barges at Waterways on the Athabasca River. Most of the northern fire rangers were situated to protect the most important routes of travel: the Athabasca River, the Lesser Slave River, the Peace River and the Great Slave River. Some of the country was accessible only by water, and some of the water was so fast that canoe travel was hazardous. River travel was an important aspect of a ranger's duties, but was also a major hazard. To get a reliable patrol on these more inaccessible waterways, the government supplied sternwheeler steamboats. One patrolled the Athabasca River between Mirror Landing and Grand Rapids (SS Rey). The boat was 42 feet in length with a ten inch draught and a powerful engine to force the boat upstream against the fastest current. Another steamer, which was obtained in 1912, patrolled the Slave River between Fort Smith and Great Slave Lake. In each boat the skipper was a fire ranger. His crew consisted of an engineer, a fireman-stoker and whatever other help was occasionally required. The boat patrols were on the alert for lightning strikes and campfires left by travellers who used the rivers as highways to the north. ^ Ongoing Wildfire Problems Those surveying for Forest Reserves between 1910 and 1915 reported how dismayed they were with the extent of past wildfire burns in their areas. In the southern east slopes, forester G.H. Edgecombe commented that: "repeated fires have devastated the eastern slopes and the forest type consequently was altered and areas eroded."^P He estimated that perhaps 60 per cent of the area had been 'fireswept' in the 60 years since 1850. North of the Bow River, forester Peter Z. Caverhill estimated that 80 per cent had burned in the last 50 years. Similarly, J. A. Doucet, a forester surveying from the Smoky River north Alberta Forest Service A ploughed fireguard, Cypress Hills plateau, 1911 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC to Grande Prairie, reported 65 per cent of the area had burned in the last 50 years. Many steps were taken in an effort to more effectively tackle the fire problem. Build-up of the administration of the fire control system was often provided in an incremental manner in response to fire problems. This was illustrated after 1908, which was described as a "bad year." In 1909 the number of fire rangers in Alberta was increased from 12 to 34. The year 1910 was another difficult year, resulting in a further increase to 45 fire rangers for 1911. These increases represented the beginning and growth of the DFB as it gradually assumed responsibility and control of the Forest Reserves. This protection role consumed much of the staff's time Even with this increased vigilance, however, fires continued to cause considerable damage and loss. There were three particularly severe fire years. In 1910 an estimated 316,295 acres burned in the Bow River Forest. That was also the year of the "Big Burn" in Montana and Idaho. An estimated two per cent of Alberta's Forest Reserves was reported burned in 1914. In 1919 there were two major outbreaks. The first was towards the end of May, with the town of Lac La Biche burning out on May 19. A series of fires stretched east to the area of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, and may have burned as much as five million acres during that same period. The second event comprised summer fires in the foothills, particularly in the Livingstone, Highwood and Ghost River valleys. Their estimated combined area was 145,795 acres. Fires along railway lines were also common and persistent. Sparks and cinders from steam engines, along with sparks from brake shoes and hot-boxes were frequent sources of ignition and major problems on busy rail lines. An amendment to the Railways Act in 1912 empowered the Railway Commission to require companies to employ fire rangers and patrol the railway lines, and also made the railway companies liable for damage caused by fires started by locomotives. The Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways were closely monitored during their construction west from Edmonton with the result that few fires occurred. Nine fire rangers, under a senior ranger by the name of J. A. Dunn, devoted their whole time to patrolling the construction areas of the Grand Trunk Pacific and Canadian Northern Railways.^^ Reports indicated that construction of the Edmonton, Dunvegan and British Columbia Railway presented great problems. To control railway fires the DFB instituted patrols on motorized and hand-propelled "speeder cars" which actually followed each train to ensure First train into Leslieville, east of Rocky Mountain House, 1912-13 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Early Days prompt detection. Many stories were told about the speeders that became a common method of travel for forestry crews in the roadless mountains and northern forests. Communications were a problem. The telegraph was used for messages between headquarters and the nearest railway office, but within the forests there was nothing. Without communication, there was no need to build sophisticated lookouts. Construction was limited to the occasional crawl tower, a very rudimentary lookout consisting of a ladder with a safety hoop around it at intervals. The single- line ground-return telephone became available around 1910, and construction and maintenance of phone lines became a major activity during the next 40 years. Construction of lookouts began in earnest after 1912 when they could be linked via telephone to ranger stations. Considerable effort by rangers was directed to construction of telephone lines along trails. These lines were typically strung between trees or on tripods across muskegs and open hillsides. A lot of time was spent in maintaining them as trees or snags frequently fell across the lines or moose and elk caught the line in their antlers, breaking the connections. Wireless sets were introduced when aircraft entered forestry operations in 1920, but did not become fully operational in the field until the 1930s. The use of aircraft for fire detection patrols Vehicle used to crank aircraft engine, 1920s, High River, Bow River Forest Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Supervisor McAbee with speeder car between Rocky IVIountain House and Nordegg, on the Canadian Northern Railway, Clearwater Forest, 1914 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC began in 1920 with the cooperation of the National Air Board of Canada, the forerunner of the Royal Canadian Air Force. After the First World War experienced aviators and aircraft were available. DFB staff members were convinced that aircraft had a place in forestry operations after seeing a demonstration in the Okanagan Valley of British Columbia. The first aircraft were engaged in fire detection and trial forest surveys, and this experiment was so successful it was expanded and maintained through to 1930. An early report in Alberta noted that one fire was monitored daily with aircraft by the forest supervisor, who upon his return relayed instructions to the rangers via telephone. Without the aircraft a similar trip would have taken a week with saddle and packhorse. The land-based aircraft were stationed briefly at Morley, but the frequency of high winds and existence of gravelly soil made landing difficult. In 1921 the air station was moved to a new facility at High River. From High River, two patrols were conducted daily. One went to the United States - Canada border while the northern flight went as far as the divide between the Red Deer and Clearwater rivers. Supplemental landing strips were built at Pincher Creek and Eckville at the furthest ends of the patrol trips. Reports of fires were first sent by phone after the aircraft landed, and later by wireless from the aircraft itself. When convenient. Alberta Forest Service rangers went along on reconnaissance flights to determine firefighting progress. As an educational thrust, leaflets warning the public of the danger of forest fires were dropped over towns during fairs and sports days and over popular camping areas. A fire-permit system for the burning of settler's land-clearing slash was finally introduced in 1928. During this time the DFB continued its public education activities through speaking tours. The 'Save the Forest Week' was introduced in 1925, a precursor to today's National Forest Week held in May each year. Early Industry The arrival of the railway in Calgary in 1883 led to a demand for building materials. This helped define a monetary value for the timber on the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. The timber was in the Dominion's newly established reserve later named the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve. Large steam-powered sawmills, using timber floated down the east- flowing rivers, launched the forest industry in the west-central region. Two prominent sawmills in the south were the Northwestern Coal and Navigation Co. at Lethbridge and the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company in Calgary, both estabhshed in 1885. They were followed by several more large, steam-powered mills in Red Deer and Edmonton, as well as a host of smaller local sawmills. Dominion timber berths were the major source of logs. Timber berth operators had to abide by a number of regulations, largely focused on record keeping for payment of timber dues and fire prevention. Reforestation requirements were not included. There seemed to be a general expectation that since nature grew the forests in the first place, it would replace them naturally. While it soon became evident that the lack of regeneration was a problem, there was no ready solution. In any case, reforestation efforts took a back seat to fire protection. As explained in the 1914- 15 Annual Report: "Reforestation has not as yet been taken up actively on the reserves in general, as the work of protection has been given first consideration."^^ Abraham Knechtel, Inspector of Forest Reserves, had discussed silviculture as early as 1910, but it was not until 1920 that reforestation Burned and windthrown timber, Grande Prairie area, 1913 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Nursery seed beds at Cool(ing lake Forest Reserve, 1921 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Early Day; trials really got started in Alberta. They began on the Cooking Lake and Cypress Hills Forest Reserves since they were "located on the prairie in poorly timbered country/'^g After establishing beds for seeding and seedlings in both locations, actual planting trials began. A 21-acre planting of 65,478 trees was done in Cooking Lake in 1923, half each of jack pine and white spruce. The next year 200 acres at Cooking Lake were spot-seeded. Planting was also done in Cypress Hills and seeding in the Crowsnest Forest Reserves. Results were variable, and references were made later to problems with rodents, frost and drought. The small DFB nurseries in Cooking Lake and Cypress Hills Forest Reserves were maintained by the Alberta Forest Service after 1930, but soon abandoned in favour of a new central nursery at the Oliver Hospital site, an area now part of northeast Edmonton. In the meantime the federal prairie tree breeding and production program continued at the DFB forest nursery at Indian Head, Saskatchewan. Reconnaissance forest surveys, which provided information regarding tree species, condition of timber, and types of topography had been carried out in the forest reserves since 1908. Now Campbell wanted to survey the entire boreal forest and woodlands from the Hudson's Bay to the Rocky Mountains. One of his objectives was to determine which public lands were non-agricultural and therefore should become part of the forest reserve complex. Initially, Campbell decided on exploratory surveys that did little more than locate the main, merchantable forests. In Alberta, he assigned two men to the job: S.H. (Stan) Clark carried out the work north and east of Lac La Biche, J.A. Doucet examined the country south of Lesser Slave Lake and westward to the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve. Stan Clark's report of 1912 outlined his explorations: "The bad state of roads from Athabasca Landing to Lac La Biche made it imperative that I should freight via Lamont. [On May 28] we started toward Heart Lake with a cook, packer and seven horses. It required six days to freight the provisions from Lamont to Heart Lake, a distance of about 180 miles. The first two months were spent examining the country north and east of Heart Lake. . . The inaccessibility of the country west of Lac La Biche made it advisable to leave the pack train in care of Mr. James Spencer and hire his rowboat. By this means we were able to make a hurried trip down the La Biche River until we were stopped by the rapids."^^ Transfer of Resources The long-awaited Alberta Natural Resources Act of 1930 was created as an amendment to the British North America Act. The former was also known as the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement (NRTA). Some Dominion foresters argued, without success, that at least the Forest Reserves should remain under DFB control. The transfer of natural resources to Alberta was made effective October 1, 1930. The DFB shifted its activities to research and information-gathering programs, handing the day-to-day operational activities and management of the forests to the government of Alberta. Dominion Forestry Branch staff in 1926. IVIany transferred to the Alberta Forest Service in 1930 Back Row (L to R): Tom Burrows, Forest Supervisor Athabasca Forest; Charles McDonald, Assistant Supervisor Bow River Forest; R.M. Brown, Forest Supervisor Crowsnest Forest; Harry L. Holman, Forester Calgary. Middle Row: C.K. Le Capelain, Civil Engineer Calgary; Harry A. Parker, Forest Supervisor Cypress Hills Forest Reserve; A.G. Smith, Forest Supervisor Clearwater Forest; Don McKenzie, Forest Supervisor Brazeau Forest; J. P. Alexander, Forest Supervisor Crowsnest Forest; Freeman Kelley, Chief Ranger Cooking Lake Forest Reserve; Symen Nelson, Accountant Calgary Office. Front Row: Col. Robert H. Palmer, Head Edmonton Fire Ranging District (E.F.R.D.), Edmonton; James A. Hutchison, Forest Supervisor Bow River Forest; Charles H. Morse, Inspector of Forestry Calgary District; James Smart, Assistant Inspector of Forestry Calgary; Ted F. Blefgen, Forest Supervisor Lesser Slave Forest Reserve. Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service HOW TO by Archie Pendergraft THE SINGLE DIAMOND HITCH With panniers and top pack in place, lash rope is thrown over top of pack, lash cinch swing under belly. Point of hook back, cinch is hooked in loop formed in lash rope by twist as shown. Twist is lifted to top of pack after hooking cinch, to point "A" Tuck second loop "B" under rope crossing top pack, from rear, and en- large to make large loop for right side of pack. Leaving loop "B" hanging on right side of pack, pull third loop "C" from between points "A" and "D." This loop "C" is for left side of pack. Now pull up on rope at "A" and across at section "E" of loop "B," tightening cinch as much as possible. Section "E" of loop "B" is then taken back, down and under rear of right side pack, and continuing up front of right side pack to center of top pack, where slack is pulled from "B" at point "F" of loop "C." Loop "C" then en- circles left side of pack from front to rear. Final shaping of the"Diamond" and tightening of the hitch is accomplished by pulling back hard on the end of the lash rope, which is then tied under left pack, above the cinch hook. CREDIT: COLORADO OUTDOORS Alberta Lands - Forests - Parks - Wildlife Vol. 12(2), Summer 1969 Early Days Cowboy Camp at Cameron Creek, in Waterton Lakes National Park, 1911 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company log drive - sluicing logs through the lower dam on North Ghost River, 1924 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Planting crew Peter Ward, Ben Shank and Harry Groves, Cooking Lake Forest Reserve, 1922 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Lower flood dam, North Ghost River, Aura District, Bow River Forest. Dam was used by the Eau Claire and Bow River Lumber Company for water transport of logs Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Nordegg Ranger Station, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1928. Nordegg was a major headquarters in the Clearwater Forest. It served a large area north to the Brazeau River and west to what is now Banff National Park Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Early Days Mountains Forest Reserve Stan Clark (L), Forest Supervisor of tlie Athabasl(a Forest, with Charles Morse, Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta District Superintendent, Hinton, 1913. Neil Gilliat recalls "Stan Clark owned and operated the General Store in New Entrance when I was there in 1949. He did most of the pioneer work in establishing the Athabaska Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve." Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC ■A. Forester J.A. Doucet was one of the Dominion Forest Service employees tasked to survey the Forest Reserves between 1910 and 1915. Photo shows Doucet and his survey crew, Athabaska Forest near Entrance, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Early Dominion Forest Service employees on trail and telephone line construction - having a bite to eat, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1915 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFIHPC Ranger tent camp for telephone line construction, Athabaska Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1915 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Rangers install first pole on the North Trunk Telephone Line. Phone lines were a vital link for rangers between their cabins, headquarters and lookouts. Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1922 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Temporary field telephone installation. Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1916 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Poles used to build tripods in the construction of telephone line system. Construction of phone lines through open areas like this lessened maintenance caused by trees falling across the line. Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1920s Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Early Days Foresters and Rangers at the Porcupine Hills District, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1921 Front Row (L to R): E.B. (Eb) Walker, Assistant Ranger; Lloyd van Camp, Forester Pincher Creek; W. Antle, Assistant Ranger; J. A. (Jock) Frankish, Forest Ranger. Back Row: H. G. (Harry) Nash, Forest Ranger Livingstone (Gap); R.J. Prigge, Assistant Ranger; J. H. (Harry) Boulton, Forest Ranger; J. H. McLeod, Forest Ranger Crowsnest Pass; J. P. (Jack) Alexander, Supervisor Pincher Creek; H. B. (Posthole) Smith, Forest Ranger Porcupine Hills; G. A. Ritchie, Forest Ranger; T. D. (Tom) Best, Assistant Ranger; F.T. (Fred) Monk, Assistant Ranger; W. A. Lyndon, Forest Ranger Mrs. T. Vickerman E.H. Finlayson and crew member wake up to early snowfall at Monaghan Creek, Athabasca Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1916. Finlayson was the Chief Inspector for the Alberta District of the Dominion Forestry Branch from 1915 to 1920 Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Dominion Forestry Brancli Fire Rangers, Rocl(y Mountains Forest Reserve, early 1920s Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Early Days Peter McLaren Lumber Company bush crew, Camp 3, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1910 Roy Campbell Rangers and Foresters outside the Brazeau Forest Headquarters, Coalspur, Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1913 (L to R): L.C. Tilt, W. Shankland, Mr. Hensler, Mr. Pierce, Mr. BIythc J. P. Alexander Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Pack crew camp, west of Rocky Mountain House, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, c. 1920. Packing equipment and gear into the Nordegg mine from Innisfail. Crew stopped for the night half way between Rocky Mountain House and Nordegg. Wllford Gray on the right (grandfather of Howard Gray) and his crew also hauled equipment and gear for the Dominion Forest Service for trail construction west of Rocky Mountain House Howard Gray Peter McLaren Lumber Company, Blairmore, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912. The background slopes show evidence of fires from either the early 1890s or 1904, or a combination of both Roy Campbell Alberta Forest Service Peter McLaren Lumber Company log flume, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, c. 1912 Roy Campbell Peter McLaren Lumber Company Camp 3, office and bunkhouse. Camp was at 5701 feet above sea level, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912 Roy Campbell Early Days Alberta Forest Service Early Day; CHAPTER 2 Birth of the Alberta Forest Service ;«.21 GEORGE V. CHAP- 3- trot the Natural I^'"™"*" follows:— ^aiyr> This Act may be c.ted as Tke . m the schedule agreement. | A constitutional amendment was made allowing for Federal (left) and Provincial (lower) legislation transferring responsibility for natural resources to Alberta in 1930. The Provincial Act is commonly known as the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement 1930 CHAPTER 21. An Act respecting the Transfer of the Natural Resources of Alberta. (Assented to April 3, 1930.) JJIS MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta, enacts as follows: 1. This Act may be cited as "The Alberta Natural Re- short title sources Act." 2. The agreement set out in the schedule hereto is hereby Approval of approved, subject to the proviso that, in addition to the rights accruing hereunder to the Province of Alberta, the said Province shall be entitled to such further rights, if any, with respect to the subject matter of the said agreement, as are required to be vested in the said Province in oi-der that it may enjoy rights equal to those which may be conferred upon or reserved to the Province of Saskatchewan under any agreement upon a like subject matter hereafter approved and confirmed in the same manner as the said agreement. 3. The Transfer of Public Lands Act, being chapter 69 R«peai of the Statutes of Alberta, 1926, is hereby repealed. 4. This Act shall come into force upon a date to be fixed fo°«"/fX't by Proclamation of the Lieutenant Governor in Council. Signing of the Natural Resources Act, transferring control of Alberta's natural resources over to the province, Privy Council Chamber, Ottawa, December 14, 1929 Seated (L to R): Dr. James H. King, Charles Stewart, Prime Minister Maclcenzie King, Alberta Premier John Brownlee, George Hadley, John F. Lymburn. Standing: Col. Oliver Mowat, Robert Forke, James Malcolm, J.C. Elliot, J.L. Ralston Provincial Archives of Alberta, A10924 Alberta Forest Service Birth of the Alberta Forest Service The province of Alberta took ownership and responsibility of public lands, forests and other natural resources from the federal government on October 1, 1930. The change, which came 25 years after the move to provincehood within the Canadian confederation, meant Alberta now had control of its public lands, forests, wildlife (except fish and migratory birds) and minerals. The transfer included responsibility for all of the publicly-owned forestland outside the national parks. This land included 12.44 million acres in Forest Reserves previously managed by the Dominion Forestry Branch (DFB), and 91.43 million acres designated as the Edmonton Fire Ranging District, as cited in the 1930 - 31 Annual were required to draft six new Acts and 48 Orders in Council to transfer natural resource management to provincial administration. It was a major task! As a result, few innovations were incorporated. Also, times were tough. A worldwide economic depression was settling in, money was scarce and unemployment was common. Canada as a whole was experiencing "hard times." The Department of Lands and Mines contained the newly formed Alberta Forest Service (AFS), headed by T.F. (Ted) Blefgen. Blefgen had worked his way through the DFB in Alberta, from his initial appointment as a ranger in the Crowsnest Forest in 1912 to his eventual service as forest superintendent of the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve. J.A. (Hutch) Hutchison, who was Assistant Director of Forestry from 1934-47, had also come up through the federal field service. Alberta's population in 1930 was just 730,000, and it was not a wealthy province. The economy was based largely on agriculture and coal. There was a scattered forest industry, mostly producing Truck hauls sleighs loaded with ties and logs for Erith Tie, Brazeau Forest, 1935 Alberta Government, AFHPC Report of the new Department of Lands and Mines. The total area amounted to 63.5 per cent of the province's total land base of 163.8 million acres. A new Alberta Department of Lands and Mines was created to manage this landbase and its natural resources, under the direction of Minister Richard G. Reid and Deputy Minister John Harvie. Harvie came to the position with experience in lands administration gained in service to the federal government. He characterized the transition by saying: "The administration changed, but the policies stayed essentially the same."^ During that first year, however, staff members Ranger Danny Fraser was one of those who transferred from the Dominion Forestry Branch to the Alberta Forest Service. He was stationed in Whitecourt from 1928-1932. He was well-known as a fiddle player and was much in demand at local dances Alberta Government, AFHPC lumber, railroad ties and mine props for use within the province. Timber was sold through sealed tender, as set up under the previous federal administration. Although the province's fiscal resources 1930 - 1947 ALBERTA FOREST SERVICE Minister - Richard Reid Deputy Minister - John Harvie Director - Ted Blefgen Asst. Director - James Hutchison Administration Office Cliief Clerl( - W. Ronahan Timber Clerl( - A. Peart Clerk - D. Florence Stenograpliers - Miss M.E. Reid iVIiss K. Filyk iVliss IVl. Fowler Cliief Timber Inspector RW. Neilson Timber Investigator E.S. Huestis Timber Inspector (Relief & Yards) C. Ranche 1 Forest Service 1 Brazeau - Athabaska Forest Crowsnest - Bow River Forest Supervisor Superintendent F.G. Edgar A.G. Smith Ranger Rangers L.J. Main P. Campbell Clerk J.H. Boulton 1 A Railov/ J.n. Ddllcy ItlCfn Seasonal Rangers j.t. neaaen S.V. Scoble Stenographer J.W. Walker E. Roper W.H. McCardell A. Crawford ouaoUllal naliycfb J. Kovach C. Hughes T. Clark Jr. A.H. Hammer J. Cardinal R.W. Holgate W. Smith G. Copithorne J. Reid IF Coggins o.n. ivieasor TR. Hammer C.G. McKenzie A. Reimer W.H. Griffiths Lookoutmen J.S. Gowland D. Griffiths R.J. Steeves H.W. Lendrum E.F Creed R. Thompson Patrolman Temporary Rangers L. Measor W. Adamson H.H. Cochrane Telephone Operator S.O. Swan E.A. Harrison R. Lendrum Temporary Rangers I.e. Burrows T. Howard J. Glen A.H. Bryant J.A. Atkinson J.A. Frankish Clearwater Forest T Harvey F. Nash Superintendent W. Antle J.R Alexander R.J. Prigge Ranger ID. Best F.T Monk W. Scott J.E. Bell Clerk J.H. McLeod A.H. Taylor L.L. Waikle Seasonal Rangers Seasonal Lookoutmen J.A. Reynar J. Lardinois C. Sawyer E. Gamache T. Weaton R.C. Lloyd H. Crabtree G. Davis C.E. Earl J.D. Champion FG. Bradshaw A.B. Shantz E.L. Whidden G. Pearce W.E. Fisher A. Eraser Lookoutmen Northern Alberta Forest District N.W. Justinen Telephone Operator FH. Jackson Temporary Rangers W. Bell J.R. Engebretson Cypress Hills Forest Ranger G.R. Ambrose Edmonton Timber Inspector R.S. Wyllie Seasonal Rangers G. M. Beattie F Smith J. Bowman A.H. White H. Burden Athabaska Timber Inspector A. Smith Seasonal Rangers M.J. Doucette W. Richardson C. Carter A.E. Parker C.H. Jones Peace River Timber Inspector D.H. Minchin Seasonal Rangers A. Stevenson B. Broughton R. Gicquel F Freeborn W.R. Hawkes B.H. White Slave Lake Timber Inspector C. H. MacDonald Seasonal Rangers 0. Schroder D. Trindle J.L. Janssen S. Johnston R. Hubley H. Haight H. Wileman B. Watkins A. Foley C. McKinley Lookoutmen A. Clark W. Thompson S.E. Hatcher A.D. Craddock Telephone Operator CD. MacDonald Bonnyville Timber Inspector D.A. McKay Seasonal Rangers W.E. Brown J.W. Allen Edson Timber Inspector J.R.H. Hall Seasonal Rangers R. Chamberlin FH. Sheam T. Gowdie C. McDiarmaid J. Fandrich Fort McMurray Timber Inspector H.D. McDonald Seasonal Rangers F Parker J. Foley H.K. Graham L.R. West E. Wylie R. Eraser J.N. Fournier E. Hogue Grande Prairie Timber Inspector D. Buck Seasonal Rangers D. Harrington T Walters D. McMillar A. Sherman D.G. O'Brien R.L. Everrett V.W. Mitchell Alberta Forest Service organization as at September 1, 1932. The AFS was part of the Department of Lands and Mines under Minister R.G. Reid and Deputy Minister John Harvie. Alberta Forest Service were very limited, the Alberta government resolved to maintain the management standards set by the DFB. As Ted Blefgen stated in his first Annual Report: "On October 1st, 1930, the Forest Service of the Department of Lands and Mines, Government of the Province of Alberta, became responsible for the major forestry activities within the province of Alberta. In line with this change, practically all the officials of the Service previously responsible for this work, under the Department of the Interior, were taken over by the Alberta Forest Service, the exceptions being principally those technical officers employed by the forest service of the Department of the Interior engaged in research work - research and investigative work being on the programme of the Dominion service. Retention of these men by the Dominion service depleted the administrative staff to some extent, in view of the fact that these men had all, from time to time, taken an active part in administrative work."^ There is ample evidence that those who did transfer to the AFS from the DFB remained wholeheartedly committed to protecting Alberta's forest and rangelands. Alberta was their home. Alberta's Forest Reserves, originally created by the federal government, were considered to be the most important forests at the time - both for watershed and timber values. Of the four Forest Reserves, the largest was the Rocky Mountains Fire Ranger Rene and Mrs Gicquel, Upper Landing, Vermilion cliutes, Peace River, 1936 Alberta Government, AFHPC Forest Reserve comprising the Crowsnest, Bow River, Clearwater, Brazeau and Athabasca Forests. The other three were the Lesser Slave, Cooking Lake and Cypress Hills Forest Reserves. Forest protection and timber management were priorities in the Forest Reserves. Of necessity, former Dominion policies were retained, though this changed over the next 20 years as awareness of the extent and importance of Alberta's forest resource increased and the economy began to grow. The Alberta Natural Resources Act of 1930 provided an opportunity to adjust boundaries between federal and provincial lands. For example, the community of Entrance was then the last railway station east of the boundary of Jasper National Park, which also included Brule and some of the land east of Brule Lake. As Blefgen explained in 1931: "Some time before the transfer of resources a survey of the Banff Whitecourt Lookout, 1938. This 10-metre tower was built with local timber Alberta Government, AFHPC and Jasper National Parks was undertaken with a view to eliminating from the National Parks, those areas 1) which were, or would likely become, areas required for industrial development, 2) unsuitable for park purposes, or 3) for the purposes of establishing a more definite and more satisfactory boundary than had previously existed."3 Blefgen noted that in total 1364.46 square miles 1930 - 1947 were added to the Forest Reserves, and that 821.5 square miles were added to the Parks, particularly from the Clearwater Forest to Banff. His comments referred to a "considerable area added to the Athabasca Forest in the vicinity of Brule, and to the Brazeau Forest northwest of Luscar." In his first Annual Report in March, 1931, Ted Blefgen described how the AFS was immediately involved in setting up unemployment relief work camps to tackle forestry projects. It was a sad reflection of the economic conditions of the day, but the camps did provide the labour required to extend work on forestry roads, trails and buildings. As Eric Huestis later recalled, the AFS was required to lay off about a third of its staff in 1932 as a budget- cutting measure. Deputy Minister John Harvie v 4^ Ml- //^^^^ (^0 feir?'^^ Eric Huestis, Director of Forestry from 1948 to 1963, carried witli him a dog-eared list witli tlie names of the eight permanent rangers the AFS counted upon for the Forest Reserves in 1939. Huestis waved this list around class when he was a guest lecturer at the Forestry Training School in the late 1950s Peter Murphy 4f reflected that: know, and we . . shape and form. . it was a terrible depression, you just had to cut in every way. Hard Times Provincial budget cuts were not long in coming, along with staff layoffs and changed Rock Lake cabin, late 1930s - more than a ton of gear to be moved up the mountain trail by horse Ranger Jack Glen with pipe to the right of cabin door Alberta Government, AFHPC working conditions. While the federal Annual Report for 1928 listed 155 people in provincial forestry positions in Alberta, the 1931 list showed 123, a reduction of 32 people. Most of the ranger positions were subsequently made seasonal - meaning most staff were laid off during the winter for financial reasons. Eric Huestis, Director of Forestry from 1948 to 1963, carried with him a dog-eared list with the names of the eight permanent rangers the AFS counted upon for the Forest Reserves in 1939. These were G.R. Ambrose at Cypress Hills, Jack Bell in Calgary, J.H. Boulton in Coleman, R. Lendrum at Coalspur, J.H. McLeod at Willow Creek, Fred Nash at Turner Valley, Eric L. Whidden at Rocky Mountain House, and L.L. Waikle at Entrance. The 1930s generally were a most difficult time for the fledgling AFS. The years were characterized by the Great Depression, drought and the onset of the Second World War. The AFS was reorganized in 1932 when the budget cuts were made. Until that time, timber inspectors in the Lands Division were responsible for timber berths, doing the job of the former dues- collecting Timber and Grazing Branch. Now, timber inspectors were made part of the AFS, Alberta Forest Service A copy of the 1939 Northern Alberta Forest District (NAFD) map provided by the widow of former northern Ranger Bob Diesel. After the serious staff reductions of 1932-33, and a few subsequent reorganizations, the NAFD included about 39 ranger districts consolidated into four Forests - Western, Peace River, Lesser Slave and Fort McMurray. Most of the rangers were seasonal, while a handful of timber inspectors stayed on year-round. Of interest are the boundaries of the northern districts that just run up and disappear into the bush, which was beyond any hope of reasonable access ALBERTA Alberta Forest Service Protection Organization Northern Alberta Forest District (NAFD) 1939 N.A.F. DISTRICT ^— ^ RANGER DISTRICT Produced by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Strategic Corporate Services Division Sept. 2003 Base map data provided by Spatial Data Warehouse Ltd. 1930 - 1947 effectively integrating timber with protection and forest management. The Edmonton Fire Ranging District was renamed the Northern Alberta Forest District (NAFD). It was divided into five areas called Forest Divisions with timber inspectors (later to be called forest superintendents) in charge of protection and inspection of timber operations. The Forest Divisions that later emerged initially comprised Rocky Mountain House, Whitecourt, Lac La Biche, Grande Prairie and Peace River. Forests within the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve were re-combined into three, with a superintendent in charge of each - the Bow-Crow, Clearwater and Brazeau-Athabasca (headquartered in Edson). Slave Lake also continued its Forest Reserve status, although with reduced staff. Two smaller Forest Reserves were disbanded: the Cooking Lake Forest Reserve east of Edmonton, parts of which augmented Elk Island National Park, with the balance becoming the Cooking Lake-Blackfoot Recreation Area, and the Cypress Hills Forest Reserve which later (in 1951) became a provincial park. By 1934 the former DFB had reassessed its role. Having given up virtually all of its land management responsibilities in the western provinces in 1930, it now focused on forest research. In August, 1934, the Canadian Forest Service, the DFB's successor organization, negotiated a lease from the AFS to establish the Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station within the Crowsnest-Bow River Forest. Its objectives included research in silviculture and other phases of forestry including protection, measurement and watershed management. The Science Service Youth Forestry Training Program class, Higliwood River, 1937-38. The class included Pat Donnelly, Larry Gauthier, Jack MacGregor with Bill Shankland as the Ranger in charge Alberta Government, AFHPC of the federal Department of Agriculture conducted surveys of forest insects and diseases. With continued unemployment, a national Youth Forestry Training Program (YFTP) was initiated and funded through the DFB to provide work and training to unemployed National Forestry Program enrolee learns the forester's craft. Bow River Forest, 1939 Jack Turner recording measurements Alberta Government, AFHPC Oliver Tree Nursery, Edmonton, 1933. This was the primary nursery for the AFS until 1975 Alberta Government, AFHPC youth. In Alberta the program was run by the AFS. The first camp was set up on the High wood River in 1937 with 60 trainees under the direction of district ranger Bill Shankland. At least two of those trainees later joined the AFS - George Deans and L.N. (Doonie) Donovan. Donovan served on Carrot Creek tower in 1939 and 1940, launching a career with the AFS that included service in the radio division prior to his retirement. W.J. (Jack) Alberta Forest Service MacGregor , L.P. (Larry) Gauthier and Gordon Fowlie were three who attended the course in 1938. Fowlie started as a lookout observer and later became a radio technician. MacGregor was Superintendent in the Slave Lake Forest before transferring to Edmonton and retiring in 1974 as the Supervisor of Construction and Buildings. Gauthier was Superintendent in Peace River Forest before transferring to Calgary, retiring in 1974 as Superintendent of the Bow Crow Forest. In 1939 the youth program was rolled into a National Forestry Program (NFP), still with federal funding, at which time 130 young people were employed by the AFS. In addition, there were many similar camps in the national parks. Numerous participants pursued careers in forestry. For example Stan Hughes, who later became Director of Forest Protection, started his career in the Jasper camp. The camps were closed in 1940 with the advent of the Second World War, when most of the trainees joined the Armed Services. Reforestation In the fall of 1931, the AFS selected a site next to the Oliver Hospital near Edmonton for a forest nursery. The Oliver Tree Nursery was initially stocked with nursery materials moved from plots established earlier at the old Cooking Lake Forest Reserve. The provincial government administered the nursery in connection with the nearby psychiatric facility. The thought was, as Eric Huestis later explained, that patients could help with nursery work as a form of therapy. Although the original objective was to provide planting stock for windbreaks and shelterbelts on farms, the nursery also supported the establishment of a provincial reforestation program. However, it was not for another 30 years, until the early 1960s, that budgets allowed reforestation to receive serious attention. Changes in forest management regulations that took effect in 1966, with the introduction of the quota system, included conditions that cutovers on permanent forestland must be restocked to provincial standards. "Turk" Bailey (L) and Stan Hughes, National Forestry Program field office, Jasper National Park, 1939. Bailey later went on to become Deputy Minister of Lands and Forests, Ontario, while Hughes served with the Royal Canadian Air Force in many combat zones, later entering a rewarding career in Alberta. He retired in 1975 as Director of Forest Protection Alberta Government, AFHPC Tony Earnshaw with portable radio, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1949 Tony Earnshaw 1930 - 1947 Wildfire Despite the cutbacks in the 1930s, new fire towers and lookouts were needed and several were constructed, including the first AFS tower on Buck Mountain near Breton in 1931 and then Whitecourt Mountain and Mayberne in 1934. The wooden towers were 40 feet to 60 feet high, and were built by rangers with locally-cut poles and logs. The DFB had constructed a 60 foot pine crawl tree' with ladder rungs on Whitecourt Mountain during the federal days for use as an observation point on their patrol route. It is believed that Carrot Creek was the first steel tower built by the AFS with used steel from an old Cooking Lake Forest Reserve tower. The early towers were linked by phone line, but in 1935 radios were installed in towers situated between the Brazeau and Athabasca Rivers. The arrival of radio occurred in stages. In the Department's 1935 Annual Report, Blefgen speaks of growing interest in the use of radio. The 1938-39 Annual Report shows that in the NAFD (the large forest area outside the Forest Reserves) five towers had already been equipped with radios, while the rest still used telephones. A 1948-49 report shows that the east slopes lookouts were still using the single- line ground-return telephone system, in which phone lines were strung between standing trees. This continued until the 1950s when the AFS installed an FM radio system. In 1942, radio frequencies used at 45 northern Alberta sites had to be changed to avoid interference from the U.S. Army Signal Corps, which was working on construction of the Alaska Highway. A new radio headquarters was established on the western edge of Edmonton on 146 Street and 103 Avenue, with Tony Earnshaw as Radio Superintendent. By 1941, prototype two-way radios had been installed in the cars of timber inspectors and other staff. Despite the advances in radio communication, radio operators were required to have a basic proficiency in telegraphy into the mid-1940s. Radio operator and towerman Sam Fomuk said that he "sent countless messages over the years," including daily weather reports. He used telegraphy on towers until 1959, and AFS operators used radio-telegraphy for messages between Forest Headquarters and Edmonton into the early 1960s, when the teletype was introduced. The last of the telegraphers included Bill Norton in Calgary, Joe Wuetherick and Helen Ledingham in Edmonton, Sam Fomuk and Larry Forest Service radio car outside AFS radio iieadquarters, 10322 - 146 Street, Edmonton, early 1940s. Note antenna on car's front fender Alberta Government, AFHPC White spruce was a favoured material for food containers Bob Stevenson Alberta Forest Service Huberdeau at Footner Lake The drought years of the 1930s set the stage for more extensive fires, some of the most serious occurring in the Crowsnest and Bow River forests. It was suspected that in some northern areas, many fires were started by people as a way of creating employment - even though the going rate of pay was only 15 cents per hour. Second World War With the declaration of war and the "call to arms" in September, 1939, many staff left for active duty in the armed forces. By 1940, 39 men and three women from the AFS were serving in the armed forces. Among the first were J.P. Alexander, A. Craig, J.A. Hutchison, F.V. Keats, R. Krause, B. Longson, W.H. McCardell and W.J. MacGregor. The war effort also stimulated demand for forest products, including mine timbers required for accelerated coal production. Large-diameter paper birch trees were logged in the Lesser Slave Lake area for construction of the Allies' Mosquito bomber aircraft, thanks to reports commending the species for its "required strength with the minimum weight."^ There was also a strong demand for white spruce as crate material for shipping food since "no odour passed on to meats and butter."^ During the war, some of the incendiary balloons launched by Japan reached Alberta, although none was reported to have started a fire. Forestry staff members were warned about the balloons, but this information was kept from the general public as a military secret. Registered traplines were introduced in 1939 to regulate the burgeoning fur industry, and in response to concerns about the decline in beaver populations as a result of disease and over-trapping. AFS rangers were given the responsibility for game and trapline administration. They also assumed the task of tagging beaver pelts, which were restricted by quota to one animal per beaver house on the trapline. The process of issuing a tag, known as "sealing beaver," was a conservation measure to control the harvest, curtail poaching among trappers and prevent the "bootlegging" of beaver pelts. The beaver tags consisted of a lead seal pressed over the ends of a cord running through the eyeholes of the pelt. Rangers began a closer involvement with trappers as registered trapping areas were gradually granted north of the Brazeau and North Saskatchewan rivers. The rangers also helped trappers map the locations of the beaver houses. At the end of the war in 1945 a period of reflection and recovery began. Blefgen presented the customary plea for additional support for the AFS in his Annual Report for 1945-46, adding the comment: "during the depression years we were definitely informed that no money could be made available, and during the war years the necessary labour could not be secured." The published lists Ranger John Currat (R) visits with outfitter/ trapper at IVIoberly Ranger Station, Athabasca Forest, 1940s Alberta Government, AFHPC 1930 - 1947 of AFS staff offer evidence of this frustrating situation. It was not until 1947, 17 years after resources were transferred to the province, that staffing levels again reached those of 1929 By 1952, staff levels had increased to about 2.5 times those of the low year of 1933. The long-hoped-for period of recovery and development had begun. Post-war Recovery The recommendations of the Alberta Post War Reconstruction Committee bolstered the gradual recovery of AFS resources. The Deputy Minister reported in 1946: "The report of the sub- committee of the Alberta Post War Reconstruction Committee appreciates the vital need for preserving our forest areas and watersheds. Now would appear to be the opportune time to implement some of the main findings and recommendations of the sub-committee Rangers travel the Athabasca River, Whitecourt Division, 1947 Alberta Government, AFHPC Jacl< IVIacGregor, Forest Superintendent, Slave Lake, 1960 Bruce MacGregor particularly in regard to: • making a physical inventory of the forest resources of the Province; • expansion of fire prevention services; • instituting a long range programme of reforestation of cut over and burn over lands and afforestation of marginal and sub-marginal lands; • inauguration of a training programme for men already in the forestry service and those wishing to join it which would give courses in timber cruising, insect and disease control, reforestation, wildlife, forest protection, etc.; • establishment of additional tree nurseries in different parts of the Province to enable a study to be made of the species most suitable for planting in the area to be supplied both from the commercial point of view, as well as providing forest cover and trees for farm planting."g Fire Detection This was also a period of innovation in the areas of science and technology. One example was development of effective firefinders for use in towers. Firefinders are devices that enable lookouts to pinpoint the location of a fire by triangulation, using a scope or eyepiece attached to a circular base marked with the points of the compass. The first firefinders were homemade, using cardboard or wood, with bearings etched on the base. American towerman William "Bush" Osborne developed and refined the Osborne Firefinder in the U.S. between 1913 and 1934. The model eventually adopted for common use in Alberta was the Osborne 1934A. Several types of range-finding equipment were tested and rejected. The most common reason was the large areas and long distances dealt with at Alberta towers. Military technology such as the artillery range finder was tested and found to be too cumbersome. The Davis Range Finder was tested in the Whitecourt area but could not give Alberta Forest Service consistent accuracy over long distances. Several other types of firefinders were looked at (i.e. the Michigan Model 1968) and two were utilized. These were the Canadian Penitentiary (so named because it was made in federal prisons) and the Osborne. The Canadian Penitentiary was originally constructed of hardwood with a brass alidade (a topographic surveying and mapping instrument used for determining directions). Further refinements were made to this and the wood replaced with metal. Several of these AFS Modified Canadian Firefinders are still in use, with the last 15 being purchased in 1968. The Royal Canadian Air Force, which had used vertical aerial photographs for wartime mapping, began trials in Alberta to investigate the peacetime application of aerial mapping and forest inventory At the same time war veterans were returning to fill out the growing AFS staff ranks. They included some of the well-recognized early rangers such as Ernie Ferguson, Phil Nichols, Harry Edgecombe, Bert Coast, Ray Smuland, Larry Gauthier, Dick Radke and Jack MacGregor. Many veterans were also interested in opportunities for homesteading on or near forested lands, which prompted discussions about a possible exclusion of prime forested lands from settlement. There was also discussion about a possible joint federal-provincial board to increase fire control capability on the former Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve and to intensify protection of the eastern slopes' watershed values. A Major Oil Strike - Leduc #1 Perhaps the most significant single event contributing to the economic and social development of Alberta took place on February 13, 1947, when Leduc Oil Well No. 1 blew in. This event stimulated a great increase in exploration and development for oil and natural gas, created a demand for good maps and, most importantly, started to generate some significant revenues for the provincial government. Increased funds enabled the government to better support provincial programs, including those of the AFS. A more negative impact was the extensive disturbance that later occurred within the forest from exploration seismic lines, roadbuilding and general oilfield construction. These events, pressures and conflicts in land use set the stage for the next period, significantly changing the nature of the work and responsibilities of the AFS. Rangers Ben Shantz and Ken Wheat on inspection of Bigstone Fox Creek pipeline 1965. Forestry \ruck witli snowmobile to left of right-of-way Alberta Government, AFHPC Oil rig in Fort McMurray region, Lac La Biche Forest Division, 1960 Jack Roy 1930 - 1947 students Frank Muldoon (L) and Larry Gauthier attending the Youth Forestry Training Program, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1937- 1938. Larry Gauthier went on to a successful career with the Alberta Forest Service, employed as Forest Superintendent of the Peace River Forest in the mid- 1960s and then retiring as Forest Superintendent In the Bow Crow Forest in 1974 Alberta Government, AFHPC Youth Forestry Training Program students building road in the Highwood District, west of the Sentinel Ranger Station, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1937. L.P. (Larry) Gauthier is the student holding the water dipper Alberta Government, AFHPC Lookout and Radio Technician training at Tony Earnshaw's cabin at Pigeon Lake, early 1940s (L to R): Not Identified, Not Identified, Don Bruce, Charlie Curran, Bill Norton, Not Identified, Gordon Fowlie Freida Earnshaw V Digging stake truck out of snow, National Forestry Program, Highwood River, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1939 Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Dexter Champion, with carpenter's assistant Jay Champion, building camp shelter at the Kananaskis Lakes, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1938 Jay Champion Kitchen and bunkhouse buildings used for the Youth Forestry Training Program, Highwood River, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1938 Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service students attending the National Forestry Program, Highwood River, Bow River Forest, Rocl(y IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1939. Tlie Alberta Forest Service ran the Youth Forestry Training Program (YFTP) in 1937 and 1938. The program later merged with the National Forestry Program (NFP) in 1939. These programs were initiated and funded through the Dominion Forestry Branch to provide work and training to unemployed youth. The first camp was set up in 1937 under the direction of Highwood district ranger Bill Shankland. Many students of the YFTP and NFP later joined the ranks of the Alberta Forest Service. This photograph was taken at the Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station Alberta Government, AFHPC . // Testing and evaluation of a Johnson H.O.K. fire pump, mid-1930s (L to R): John Harvie, Deputy Minister of Lands and Mines; Jim Hutchison, Assistant Director of Forestry; R.G. Reid, Minister of Lands and Mines; Ted Blefgen, Director of Forestry Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Dexter Champion on horse Brownie and with dog Train, on patrol, head of Pincher Creek, Castlemount District, Crowsnest Forest, 1942. Mount Victoria in background. Jay Champion, son of Dexter, said "The saddle that is pictured was given to my Dad on his 21st birthday by my grandfather and was the only saddle that Dad ever used during his time with AFS." Jay Champion Ranger Dexter Champion with packstring hauling telephone wire from Canmore to Spray Lakes and south for a new telephone line to Kananaskis Lakes, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1938 Jay Champion Alberta Forest Service Radio Technicians office party, Edmonton, early 1940s. The radio technicians under Tony Earnshaw were responsible to ensure radio communications existed between lookouts, headquarters and some vehicles (L to R): Tony Earnshaw, Head Radio Branch; Don Bruce, Buck Mountain Towerman; Miss Jeans; Gladys Earnshaw; Helen Ledingham (Wenerstom), Continuous Wave (CW) Operator (Morse Code Operator); Jim Ledingham; Pam Earnshaw (cigarette); Don RIggan (between Jim and Ron), Radio Operator Edson; Eva Latlff (front centre) Stenographer Edmonton Radio station; Joe Sotcky (front centre); Ron LInsdell (back row) Radio Technician Edmonton; Peggy LInsdell (partially hidden); Howard Traxter, Radio Technician and Operator Calgary; Louis (Doonie) Donovan, Radio Operator; Audrey Davis, Stenographer; Pat Donnelly, Radio Operator Ron LInsdell 1930 - 1947 CHAPTER 3 A Way of Life Heading out with the dog team always reliable in cold weather Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service (AFS) staff shared the landscape with a great variety of creatures, wild and domesticated, helpful and dangerous. Stories of relationships and encounters between human and beast occupy a colourful part of the recollections of any ranger or tower person. AFS staff members were called upon to deal with a serious wildlife problem when a major rabies epidemic broke out during the winter of 1952-53. Northern rangers were placed on the front lines of activity as the government launched a full-scale program of predator control. A control line was set up across the entire province, from east to west, in an attempt to prevent rabid animals from migrating to the south. Rangers worked with trappers to encourage trapping and poisoning along this line. The program effectively held the epidemic to the northern areas, and ran for several years until the problem subsided in the natural course of events. Former northern Ranger Bob Diesel was one who worked with trappers to reduce the number of animals susceptible to rabies. He recalled that trappers specified their territory on a map, and then ran traplines for 20 or 25 miles using poisoned bait. They were required to check the line once or twice a week, maintain the supply of bait, and register animals caught in this manner.^ Former Ranger Jack Grant told a story about a trip he made with trapper Emil Ducharme.2 He was on patrol in 1953, checking a rabies line and at the same Rangers Dexter Champion (L) and Ernie Ferguson with specimens from rabies control program, 1956 Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Fred Nash and his dog team, Highwood Ranger Station, Bow River Forest, 1926 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC time scouting out a site for the Clear Hills tower. "That was the way it was done in those days [identifying tower sites] - we had no airplanes or anything like that - you just climbed the highest spruce tree you could find and mapped out the visible area," Grant said. "I had one of the rabies trappers (Ducharme) with me and for travelling we had snowshoes and two pack dogs. "The trapper was walking ahead of me and he had his rifle over his back on a sling on one Alberta Forest Service arm and on the other arm he had his snowshoes, because there was a good enough path that it was easier to walk bare-shod rather than on our snowshoes. My pack dog was walking right up against the trapper's heels. His pack dog was walking just ahead of me, and I was bringing up the rear, and kind of watching around to see where I could take off to look at possible tower points. While we were walking down this line, I saw the trapper's dog pick up one of these rabies baits in his mouth. It was made up of fat with a cyanide pellet inside. I had to do something, but my hands were full with all the maps, and I had my snowshoes over my back, so I gave him a swift kick between the hind legs - it was a male dog - and I gave him a dandy. He yelped and jumped ahead and he hit my dog, who in turn hit the trapper and ran between his legs, and of course the dog couldn't get between the trapper's legs because he had his packs on both sides. The trapper's feet went up in the air and he landed on his back behind the first dog! Everybody was amazed because they didn't know what had precipitated all this. But the dog spat out the bait!" Bob Diesel recounts an encounter with an aggressive bear - thankfully a rare occurrence. "Only once in all the years I was with the Forest Service did I ever have to use my hand gun, and that was against a black bear. It was on the Athabasca River where the Lac La Biche River joins the Athabasca. We went down river on a timber cruise from the Town of Athabasca to a cabin that we stayed in - it was about a day's trip. We pulled the canoe up on the bank that night and the assistant ranger and I went into the cabin and made our camp and spent the night. Just at daylight the next morning this doggone black bear is coming through the window into the cabin. "We made enough commotion trying to find the gun that he backed out, but by then we were up for the day so we started making our breakfast and my assistant went down to the river for a pail of water. He came back and told us the bear had ripped the canoe. Sure enough he'd ripped a hole maybe a foot and a half long in the side of the canoe because we had turned it over and the bear wanted to see what was in there. So we had to call a halt for the day and I spent the time patching the canoe. My assistant was down by the river bank and he starts hollering at me to beat heck. I ran to the edge of the river and saw Ranger Herron ready to skin black bear, Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1913 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Fish and Wildlife biologist Bob Webb, with government Courier aircraft, refuelling in north-central Alberta during rabies control survey, 1961 Alberta Government, AFHPC him standing on one side of a tipped-over tree and this black bear was on the other side. The bear was trying to get over this tree after my assistant and the assistant is swatting at it and just hollering to beat heck so I hollered as well. The bear looked up, saw me and came straight up the bank right at me. He was just coming right for me. By the time he was four or five steps from me I was down on one knee and shooting and after about the fifth shot he rolled. They are awfully hard to kill. But there was no place to run. There were no trees to climb. You either do it or you don't do it. I saw A Way of Life Meat house and means of safeguarding provisions from bears, near Waterton Lakes National Park, 1939 Alberta Government, AFHPC lots of bears through the years, but usually you could talk to them and just reason with them and they would get out of your way or you could get out of theirs. This was the one and only time I ever had to shoot a bear - and I'm awful glad that Mr. Huestis had got me a permit to carry firearms." Chuck Rattliff,3 an AFS forester stationed in Grande Prairie, does not believe those who say bears only become aggressive when threatened. "If you fool with them long enough you will get one that is cross. So you want to respect every last one of them because you don't know which one is on the prowl. "I had no fear of grizzlies. I remember chasing five of them in Swan Hills one day with a little camera, trying to get pictures of them. I was running after a sow and four cubs. She must have had two families with her. They were yearlings. "On another occasion I took the front end out of a 4x4 truck and broke the hub on it while pulling a person out of the Otauwa River south of Slave Lake, so I had to go into town. A couple of mechanics and myself came out to put a new front housing into this 4x4 truck. It was about supper time. I said, T've got some flies here. I'll go down to the river and catch us a few grayling and I will cook them,' because it was going to be midnight before we got home. "So I walked down about a quarter of a mile or so to a really good hole that I knew about and got me a great big alder branch. Thank goodness it was a big one. The Lord must have been with me that day. I only had a few feet of line to tie this fly on and I was hocking the grayling out of the pool. I heard rustling in the bush but it was fall and the moose were on the rut. I didn't pay much attention until all of a sudden I hear this thing. So I looked up and there is a grizzly standing right on top of the bank behind me about 30 feet away, looking straight at me. I didn't really get too concerned about this. He was just looking at me. But anyway this went on and on and on but it got my nerves up. "Finally I said something to him and he just exploded. He just flew out of there. I could see him just coming down through the air Ranger patrol visits northern trapper, 1940 Alberta Government, AFHPC with his mouth open at me and I figured the jig was up. I bailed into the river. There was a riffle above the hole and I was on the riffle with water up to my knees and when the grizzly came down he somehow slipped but he hit the hole. There was a little ledge there. He went right under the water and when he came up I thumped him right between the ears so hard with the pole and he took off out of there like he had been shot at. "He went up one bank and I went up the other. I came clean across the river. I ran so hard on the way home. I was scared. It was an awful fright. I got back to the truck and I couldn't tell them what happened. I was so exhausted from that running, that fright, that I laid down and I can still remember laying right there on my back trying to Alberta Forest Service get my wind back so I could tell these guys. The game warden from Westlock came along. I finally got up and crawled in the back of the truck and I pulled out my rifle. The warden asked what I was going to do. I said I was going to shoot a grizzly bear, and he said I couldn't do that, and I replied yes I could. I was going to go back and do that son of a gun in. He was not going to get away with that. When I got back there the trail was still wet - but he was gone." A story in the department's Land Forest Wildlife magazine^ brings together the topics of radio communications and wildlife. Speaking about radio systems used by the AFS in 1939, the story says: "A forest ranger, who shall remain unknown, had difficulty remembering the exact time when he was supposed to make scheduled equipped with a new .22 rifle and with his faithful 'Big Ben' tied to his belt. "The bear was sighted and our intrepid hunter crept toward it from down-wind until he was within 50 yards of his prey. Since he had only a small calibre rifle and it was a large bear, these close quarters were indeed necessary. As a further precaution he climbed a tree before bearing down with his rifle. Tensely he waited for the bear to become still and carefully he centred his sight on the bear's ear. He had just commenced to squeeze the trigger when - you guessed it - the alarm clock went off with a clang. Our hero nearly fell out of his tree and the bear promptly took off for other places, encouraged, no doubt, by the insistent clanging of the faithful clock. "To this day the ranger has never ceased to blame the loss of his prize rug on the radio communications system of the department. The bear, of course, was unavailable for comment." Jack Grant talks about the ranger's task of sealing beaver (see chapter 2). "Every spring when I was at Keg River I had to make a trip to Carcajou to seal beaver. At that time it was just a Inspector Willis Millar (L) and Ranger C. Bremner - breakfast on the Clearwater River, 1913 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC radio contact with his head office. In order to remind himself, he purchased an alarm clock which he set to ring at the appointed hour. Whenever he left his cabin he tied the clock to his belt. "A grizzly bear had been reported in this man's district and the ranger was anxious to have the bear's hide to add comfort and decoration to his cabin. Thus it was that he set out early one morning Coyotes taken in the winter of 1950-51 by Frank Jones, Castlemount Ranger Station, Crowsnest Forest (note skis used for backcountry patrols) Alberta Government, AFHPC A Way of Life Inspector Millar's pack outfit, Clearwater Trail, Clearwater Forest, 1912 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC wagon trail through the bush and that was how all the supplies came to Keg River. Carcajou on the Peace River was the old stopping point for the river boats. I would make my trip down there once a year. The trappers would collect there, after I'd sent word out a couple or three weeks ahead of time, with all the beaver pelts for the season. "I would go down to the end of the wagon road on the east side of the river and then I would send up a flag and they'd know somebody was waiting to cross the river - they all knew the date I was coming. The trappers would come across in a boat and pick me up and take me back over. So then the main event, the sealing, would take place and at that time you'd pick up all the news and all the activity - illegal activity on the traplines, and everything like that. I didn't stay for any of the frivolities or whatever happened afterwards. I just did my job and left, because I'd have to stay down there overnight amongst the mosquitoes and flies and whatever, and it wasn't a very pleasant place to be." The horse was the constant companion of many a ranger, but the relationship wasn't always sweetness and light. Ranger Bill Balmer recounts the rocky relationship between him and his horse back in the early days:^ "That horse probably taught me more things about horses than all the rest of them put together. He was a green broke horse when I got him and it was an education for both of us, except that he was smarter than me. We were going down the trail one day and I just got out of the south gate at Kananaskis. There was dense black spruce and a narrow trail. We went around the first corner and we met a black bear. When the dust settled, the bear was going one way, I was sitting on my butt on the ground, and the horse was going the other way. Well, he only went as far back as the gate and I caught him. I got back on him, there was no problem but you could see that so-and-so, his ears would start flipping back and forth. You could see the gears going in that brain of his. When I'd relax, he'd dog his head and fire me off. ''He dumped me more times and the thing is, you're miles out in the bush, you don't want to walk, you don't want to kick the heck out of him. With him Nosebags were used to keep flies out of the horses' noses, Cypress Hills, 1911 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC Ranger brings in hay for winter, north of Entrance, Athabasca Forest, c. 1934. Putting up hay was one of the ranger's duties Charles Clark Alberta Forest Service it was a game. I'd get back on again and as long as I rode the stirrups and rode alert, no problems. But I'd start to relax a little bit and he'd know it. Bingo! Sometimes, it would be two or three times a day that he'd unload me. Sometimes he'd go a couple of weeks and never try nothing. You never knew with him. Finally one day - 1 had the strings behind the cantle - 1 looped them up. I tried grabbing the saddle horn, nothing helped. I'd never rode broncs and like this wasn't my thing. But I got hold of that string and I kid you not, by the time he got through with me, my thighs were black and blue. He hammered but I stayed on board. I had him for many more years and he never dogged his head again." Forest rangers in the foothills and mountain country of Alberta relied heavily on their home base, often a cabin in the woods with some adjacent hay meadow to keep the horses fed. It was common practice to turn out the saddle horses and pack animals after a hard day's ride, letting the animals roam free so they could rest and graze and be ready for travel the next day. Normally a bell was attached to one or more of the horses so the ranger could find them easily the next day. The horses had been turned out this way on August 7, 1952, at the Meadows Patrol Cabin, 30 miles due west of Rocky Mountain House. Ranger Ronnie Lyle^ was out looking for the animals south of Rough Creek (north of Ram Mountain). After hiking in a cool drizzle for some time he sighted the horses. He was ready to follow the usual practice, which was to lure one of the animals with oats, secure a halter and bridle on it, then ride the horse to round up the others. As Lyle was making his way through dense willow and young pines, he startled a large Forestry pack outfit grazes west of Cut Off Creek, Clearwater Forest Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC Forest rangers with pack horses, Oyster Creek, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1909 Dominion Forestry Brancii, AFHPC black bear at close range. The bear immediately began to growl and become aggressive, putting the chase on Lyle who promptly made for the closest tree - a slender lodgepole pine. Lyle was unarmed and had no choice but to climb quickly to avoid the bear. The bear bolted straight up the pine with Lyle scrambling ahead of it through the branches. The attacker was extremely quick and soon swiped Lyle's boot heel. He in turn kicked back at the bear, causing it to crash to the ground and giving him time to climb even higher. Not to be deterred, the bear came back up the tree, hooking its claws into Lyle's boot and tossing the ranger 30 feet to the ground, whereupon Lyle A Way of Life passed out. When he came to, some time later, he found himself bundled under the low branches of a spruce tree. Apparently the bear had dragged him there and left him for further attention at a later time. Lyle was badly bruised and suffering pain from injuries to his neck, shoulder and back, but he heard the horses' bells and staggered out to snag one of them. He was able to catch Dusty, one of the shyer horses. He hung his belt through the strap that held the bell on Dusty s neck, and used this to steady himself as he limped alongside the horse back to the Meadows Patrol Cabin. It was no easy task to convince Dusty to leave the supper table and picked up in a forestry truck for the ferry crossing of the North Saskatchewan River at Saunders. The ferry wasn't working, however, so their only means of crossing the swift river was a flimsy and precarious old cable car. Inside the cable car's basket, McDonald fought to brace Dr. Greenaway between his knees while he cranked on a lever that had to be jerked back and forth to propel the shaky carriage forward. It was a slow process, with the basket and occupants swaying wildly above the roaring waters of the North Saskatchewan. With great determination and a lot of pluck the two reached the far shore, where Ranger Wiedeman was waiting with a small Fordson tractor. Their apparent good success now took a downward turn, because recent heavy rains had inundated the primitive trail to Meadows Cabin. After grinding through the mud, and even with endless pushing by the men, the heavily loaded little Fordson Rangers in their Model A Ford trucl( pulling a stalled car out of the Pembina River. One of the hazards of fording was getting the spark plugs wet - removing the fan belt was a typical precaution. Brazeau Forest, 1930 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC other horses, but Lyle's desire to live was greater than the challenge of overcoming the horse's reluctance as well as his own pain. Fortunately Lyle's assistant ranger Ed Wiedeman saw Lyle and Dusty enter the pasture at the Meadows Cabin and telephoned Ben Shantz at the Shunda Ranger Station, 15 miles north of the Meadows. Shantz in turn called Forestry Headquarters in Rocky Mountain House, where Ranger Don McDonald immediately began to pull together the necessary people and equipment to reach the cabin and evacuate Lyle to hospital. At 6 p.m. Dr. Greenaway was roused from his Ranger Ron Lyle on patrol, Prairie Creek District, Clearwater Forest, 1966 Alberta Government, AFHPC became mired in a large mudhole two miles out from the cabin. The doctor and McDonald had no option but to tackle the rain-soaked trail on foot, with the ranger reaching the cabin first. Immediately McDonald dispatched Don Fregren, a young visitor staying at the cabin, to go back and Alberta Forest Service help the Doctor. Fregren took the trusty forestry horse Dusty to carry Dr. Greenaway the last two miles to the Meadows Cabin. Dusty and Fregren brought Dr. Greenaway through the wet and cold night to the ailing Ranger Lyle at 2 a.m. The doctor's examination revealed Lyle had sustained crushed upper vertebrae and could only be moved by aircraft. Immediately, the call went out via the old phone line and was later repeated by radio. The small group of men waited out the night for a response and some much-needed aid from Rocky Mountain House forestry headquarters. Soon after dawn a Beaver aircraft left Edmonton and flew over the cabin to evaluate the adjacent hay meadow for a medivac landing. The Beaver is renowned for its short take-off and landing capabilities, but the Edmonton pilot was concerned about the extremely small landing area and the large trees at each end. It was determined a smaller and lighter aircraft, and perhaps a more daring pilot, would be required. Forestry officials recalled the bush flying skills of a pilot from the farming community of Olds. This pilot was Mel Clipperley, who operated a local car dealership and flew his Aeronca Super Chief on numerous trips throughout the western foothills and mountains. The gravity of the situation prompted Clipperley to offer his services without hesitation. His guide would be another veteran ranger, Harry Edgecombe, from the Clearwater Ranger Station. By this time Dr. Greenaway, Wiedeman, McDonald and Fregren were removing hay for a makeshift landing strip and cutting away a number of tall trees that might endanger the aircraft. The area is in the high foothills, directly against the front range of the Rocky Mountains. The weather is very changeable and wind currents can be extremely strong and completely The Meadows Patrol Cabin, Clearwater Forest, where Harry Edgecombe started his career and caught his first wild horses Alberta Government, AFHPC unpredictable. With all the experience and skill at his command, Clipperley brought his aircraft down in the meadow, arriving unharmed with Edgecombe despite some of the freshly-cut hay becoming tangled in the landing gear. It was apparent the hay could be a serious impediment to a take-off, so it was decided all of the cut hay should be removed Harry Edgecombe, shown when he was head of fire control training in Hinton (1969-1979) Alberta Government, AFHPC from the meadow. The only horse available for the hay rake was the venerable Dusty. Despite some initial unwillingness. Dusty was harnessed and put into service with Ranger McDonald holding his head while young Fregren drove with the reins. A clear strip was freed of hay in short order. At the same time. Dr. Greenaway and Rangers Edgecombe and Wiedeman laboured with clumsy crosscut saws to remove more large trees at the windward end of the meadow. All was now ready. At Clipperley 's insistence there was a ''test run" of the runway before Ranger Lyle could be placed in the aircraft. Clipperley gauged the calm conditions and A Way of Life the quiet evening air and decided it was now or never. The men held their breath and said a prayer as the tiny aircraft sped down the grass meadow and cleared the trees, circling the meadow and coming back for a textbook landing. Now it was time for the real test. Dr. Greenaway directed the careful placing of Ranger Lyle in the small Aeronca Super Chief. Straps were used to secure the patient and all non-essential gear was removed to make the aircraft as light as possible. A check ensured the fuel tank carried only enough gas to get to Rocky Mountain House. The aircraft was ready. Clipperley revved the engine up to full throttle while the others held the machine back to allow a "rapid take- off under maximum power. When they let go, the aircraft streaked off down the hay meadow, barely cleared the tall trees, and then climbed steadily into the gray sky under the falling darkness. You could hear the sigh of relief as those who stayed behind returned to the cabin to wait by the telephone for news of Ranger Lyle's situation in Rocky Mountain House. In the small town of Rocky Mountain House, meantime, residents were called to bring their cars and trucks to the airport so their headlights would illuminate the landing strip. Clipperley landed safely and Ranger Lyle was taken to hospital. He underwent a two-month rehabilitation before getting back to his beloved foothills and mountains. Shortly after his rescue, and while still in hospital. Ranger Lyle asked Wiedeman to revisit the scene of the bear attack, saying he wanted to Ranger Bill Shankland at Mountain Park Station, Brazeau Forest, 1940 Alberta Government, AFHPC get his service cap, bridle, halter, and oat pannier back. At the site of the attack, Wiedeman located the remains of the forestry cap and its badge, the horse bit and portions of the oat pannier. Within a short distance he found evidence of a bear's cache containing remnants of a mule deer carcass. It seemed that while pursuing his horses. Ranger Lyle had inadvertently roused the bear from its food cache, sparking the attack. The bear was further frustrated when Lyle kicked it out of the tree and down to the ground. It was enough to result in Ranger Lyle being shoved under a spruce tree for later disposition. After Ranger Lyle retired from the AFS, he continued working on a seasonal basis with the B.C. Forest Service. Ed Wiedeman relocated to Prince George and worked for the forest industry. Don Fregren continued his interest in the AFS, graduating with a degree in forestry and retiring in 1993 after numerous senior positions in the AFS. Harry Edgecombe served in a variety of AFS positions, most of which involved fire protection roles, ending his career at Hinton where he was in charge of the Provincial Fire Control Training Program. Pilot Mel Clipperley continued his car and machinery business until retiring in the Olds area. Jack and Doris Gosney tell another rescue story involving Doris's father Angus Crawford. Angus was the ranger at Mountain Park in 1948.^ Angus and his assistant ranger Jim Bradshaw were packing up their horses at the Grave Flats cabin, ready to return home after the last fall trip of the year. Angus was going to ride Buddy Ranger Angus Crawford In 1962, Edson Forest Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Malloy's ''town horse" back to Mountain Park, a distance of 20 miles. The horse had different ideas, however, and went into a violent bucking fit, finally throwing Angus and breaking his pelvis in the process. He was seriously hurt and it was only with a lot of effort that Jim got him back to the cabin. Jim phoned the ranger's wife Winnie in Mountain Park to report the injury. Doris recalls that her two brothers. Ken and Don, hooked up the dog team and sled and departed for Grave Flats immediately with a supply of pain killers from the local doctor. The trip was difficult because of the rough terrain and patchy snow cover, but they made it to the cabin after nightfall and administered the medicine to Angus. In the meantime Doris's husband Jack came off shift at the local coal mine. After hearing about the plight of Angus, Jack started the hike to Grave Flats to help the boys on the return trip, carrying a bottle of Planters Punch rum in his jacket pocket. He saw how much pain Angus was in when he met the party at the Red Cap cabin and asked him if he would like a drink. Angus agreed that a shot of rum would help and said he would keep the bottle with him in the dogsled. The dogs and the boys were tired and the roughest country was still ahead, but Jack added a strong hand on the hills. They made it past Mackenzie Creek and at Mile One met townspeople who had got a 4x4 truck up the mountain to carry Angus the rest of the way. After a short discussion, however, Angus decided not to attempt the transfer to the truck and the dog team continued on to Mountain Park, arriving at midnight. Jack's relationship with his father-in-law certainly went up a notch after the rescue and provision of the "medicinal" rum. (L to R): Jack Gosney, Len Allen and Carl Leary, Forestry Training School in Hinton, November, 1960 Alberta Government, AFHPC Phil Nichols, raised as a cowboy in southern Alberta and steeled as a commando during the Second World War, was forest ranger at Salt Prairie for his entire career with the AFS from 1945 to 1972. He preferred getting around on his horses, but during the winter he travelled by dog team. He told this story about a fisheries ^ y inspection he was 2 ^ doing one winter at the west end of Lesser Slave Lake as part of his departmental responsibilities, g "I was checking the commercial fishermen. There was a wind blowing and with that snow drifting, you couldn't see anything but the sun was shining up above. I was going along standing on the tail end of the toboggan and all of a sudden the dogs stopped. I yelled at them to go and they just laid there. We always had a rope from the front of the toboggan, a big old rope. We called it a tail rope and sometimes if you were stuck you'd tie it around a tree so the dogs couldn't run away on you. I had that in my hand and I started running up alongside the dogs and there was an air hole in the ice. I went through, and when that cold water comes in the front of your parka you know you're in trouble! "As I went down I yelled 'mush!' and the old lead dog was pulling sideways and I was going down the hole and hanging on to that rope. The dogs took right off - though the lead dog just swung sideways instead of going ahead where he wanted to go. They took off and I went down in the lake and then came back up hanging onto that rope - and when I came out I was skidding along on my belly on the ice. "So then I just let the old dogs go, figuring to get to the north shore and back to White Creek A Way of Life where Joe McDermott had a camp. Shorty swung around and he just headed for Joe's camp. They started a-legging er and I was running behind and my pants broke right across the back of the knees because of the ice on them. It must have been 30 or 40 below zero. I got to Joe and Mary Rose's camp and I asked, 'You got a fire on - 1 fell in the lake and I'm kinda wet.' My mitt was frozen on that rope so they just took the axe and chopped it off. "I stood by the heater till I thawed out, taking off one thing after the other. The old parkas with damned zippers on them - you couldn't open them all the way so you got it a little bit loose and pulled it over your head. Mary Rose warmed up my sleeping bag and I dived into that. I never even had the sniffles the next day. But boy, that's a sickening feeling when that cold water comes pouring in the front of your parka." Despite the perils and adventures of the Forest Ranger's life, it was not uncommon for the job to be carried on by younger members within a family. In the Foley family, four successive generations have served Alberta's forests with pride and distinction. Albert worked as a ranger in the Swan River Ranger District of the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve. In the initial years he was only paid for the summer months but was allowed to use the Forest Service's log house for the winter. He died in an accident when returning to Kinuso by train from an Edmonton Ranger meeting in 1943. His son Pat worked as a ranger in the Slave Lake area from 1945 to 1967. Pat was a well- known figure to residents of the area, known for his large, burly build and his abilities in the bush. Pat worked during the transition period that saw the transfer of the forests from federal to provincial hands. He experienced the introduction of new equipment and technology, and was the first to map a fire from an airplane. Pat's son Lou spent 32 years working for the AFS throughout the province. He made a name for himself in wildfire suppression, and after retirement in 1996 he took on a number of senior consulting contracts with government and industry. Lou's son Hudson completed the Forest Technology program at NAIT in 1994. He has worked as a logging supervisor and forest planner with Zeidler Forest Products (now Alberta Plywood Ltd.) in Slave Lake, and most recently with ATCO Electric as Hazard Reduction Coordinator for the company's service areas. Women in Forestry Women have always been an important part of the organization, r'/" initally serving as unpaid and usually unrecognized partners of rangers. Anne Dixon has highlighted this "silent partner" role in her book of the same title, profiling the roles of wives of western national park wardens. The wife of a ranger provided a Ranger Phil Nichols, High Prairie, 1998 Peter Murphy Ranger Pat Foley, one of a long line of Forest Rangers Lou Foley Alberta Forest Service critical link for the ranger while he was on patrol. She could transfer vital information to regional headquarters about forest fire situations and other items pertinent to public safety. She knew how to operate the telephone system and the radios and knew who to contact both in the Department and the nearby communities. These functions were generally performed without any fanfare and became an integral part of being a ranger's wife. Quite often in the old days the ranger's wife conducted correspondence courses and home- schooling lessons for children of the family. For some, access to schools was severely limited by distance compounded by unpredictable weather and poor roads. Each winter, once heavy snows restricted access, many ranger districts were out of reach. There are many examples of students using the correspondence programs through to grade nine then going to live with friends or family in nearby towns for high school. In some instances, school buses would meet the ranger's children at the forest reserve boundary gate. Again, the role of driving the children to meet the bus usually fell to the ranger's wife. Typical contributions of forestry wives are illustrated by personal experiences. For example, in 1924, Ethelwyn Octavia Alford, wife of Nordegg Ranger "Bertie" Alford, in her 50s and suffering with arthritis rode to the head of the North Saskatchewan River to build the cabin at Camp Parker. They left on the fifth of August and returned on the third of October, experiencing the onset of winter snowstorms in the high country before they finished the job. Bill Shankland was also a ranger at Nordegg in the 1920s to 1936 when they moved to Bragg Creek. His daughter Jessie described how Nordegg was at the end of steel on the railway from Rocky Mountain House that served the coalmines. Forestry officials visiting the station had to wait four days between trains so their house was always full of visitors staying over and she and her mother produced meals in the kitchen. She recalled that at Bragg Creek, then the end of the road, it was even busier with campers and tourists who found refuge at the ranger station when their cars broke down, got stuck or bad weather settled in. Jessie married Ranger George Deans and raised her own family at a succession of ranger stations. Louella Krause lived in a tent with her husband Rein during their first winter together while they built their cabin in 1935-36. She recalled how she would get radio messages about fires from Rein on patrol and would dispatch fire crews and get supplies to him wherever they were needed. Wanda Edgecombe, like so many of the ranger's wives on the remote districts, taught their children at home with correspondence courses from the Alberta Department of Education, giving them a great start in their schooling. At this time in the early 1950s weather stations were being set up at ranger stations with the expectation that wives would take the twice- or three-times-daily readings to pass on by radio, a task they did faithfully and well. In 1937, the Calgary Herald published an article that described the living and working conditions of Ranger Dexter Champion and his wife Louise. In the spring of 1936 Ranger Dexter Champion, accompanied by his wife Louise and son, John 'Jay' Dexter, journeyed up the Elbow, past Elbow Lake to Kananaskis Lakes where Champion was posted. They covered 16 miles on horseback in one day, something of a record for any nine-month-old youngster. On reaching their destination, it was found necessary to build a small corral covered with mosquito netting to protect the young man from any tendency to wander off and also to protect him from the mosquitoes. ^ Jay Champion recalls that when his mother looked back on the early years as the wife of an AFS employee and added the pluses and minuses she was quite happy with that part of her life. Even though she grew up in Calgary as part of a large family, she was the type of person who was always comfortable with her own company, so living somewhere remote where there were no neighbours did not turn out to be a big problem for her. She also adapted to the lack of conveniences without too much difficulty, such as lack of plumbing, electricity, refrigeration, shopping, etc. "She did have a bit of exposure to 'country life' prior to her marriage, as she was a schoolteacher who taught in one-room country schools, so A Way of Life she had learned to ride a horse, and became accustomed to outdoor biffies. However, coping with ornery packhorses, campfires, wet tents etc. was certainly something new for her. Of course it was accepted that she pitch in and help with those types of things. I don't believe she enjoyed those irritating events but did accept them as things that had to be done. She used to talk about some incidents that stood out in her mind. The difficult incidents revolved around "critters" both two legged and four legged. Dad of course had patrols to make, and also spent a lot of time maintaining the various trails that had been cut through the bush mainly for possible firefighting access. When he was doing trail work, if it was any distance Dexter Champion transferred to the Kananaskis Lakes Ranger Station, Bow River Forest, after serving on IVIoose IVIountain Lookout. Champion is shown accompanied by his wife Louise and son. Jay. On reaching their destination, it was found necessary to build a small corral covered with mosquito netting to protect the young man from any tendency to wander off and also to protect him from the mosquitoes Jay Champion photo; Calgary Herald article 1937 from home, he would take a packhorse or two and stay out there for a week or sometimes more. While at Kananaskis, even going to Canmore for supplies was a three or four day trip. Once while he was away, a black bear was hanging around the cabin. One night it finally decided that there was something to eat in the cabin and climbed up on the roof and was attempting to get in. Of course my mother was terrified as she was not only there alone but had me there as a baby. She was convinced the bear would get in, so she put me in the oven of the stove (it was cold) as there was no other place to hide me. She then prepared to do battle with the bear. Fortunately the bear gave up and climbed off the roof. When daylight came the bear was still around so my mother got the single shot .22 and opened the window a bit and shot the bear dead with one shot. Of course fresh meat was a luxury so she tied a rope to the bear's leg, caught a horse and pulled the bear up to hang from a tree limb. Unfortunately, she did not know the animal should at least have been bled, so it was spoiled by the time dad returned. Later when we were at Castlemount, about 1942, a grizzly bear followed some range cattle that had come by the Ranger Station. It spent some time sniffing around the house and other buildings before wandering off, which caused some fright and worry. Of course dad was away then too. "Some of the public who came by and wanted some service from the Ranger were also sometimes difficult. Some of them seemed to think that mother had the same duties and authority as dad did. Some of them were less than pleasant when they learned otherwise. She had one unfortunate experience with a fellow camped nearby who learned that she was there alone and that dad would be away for some time. Whether he was just that kind of person or he was on the booze, mother didn't know. He made several trips to the cabin trying to convince her that they should indulge in some fun and games. After being continually rebuffed the fellow became mean and threatening. At that time we had a big Airedale dog that had a very nasty temper if he didn't know someone, so mother tied the dog near the door so the man couldn't get near without dealing with the dog. End of that problem. "Another continual worry was the possibility of something happening to one of the children, as of course medical attention was a long way away under the best of circumstances. About 1941, my three-year-old sister broke her arm in the middle of winter when we were completely snowed in. So a Reader's Digest magazine was securely taped around her arm as a splint. The arm healed perfectly. The elements were rather nerve wracking as well. Mother talked about electrical storms when Alberta Forest Service a close lightning strike would cause the stove lids to jump and 'fire' to run along the wire fence." The Calgary Herald finished its 1937 article with a summary of life in the Kananaskis Lakes district. "When work is some distance from home, the ranger takes his equipment and camps by his work until completion. On one such occasion, Mrs. Champion was alone five days with her son, but her fine garden and household duties kept her busy and happy. She is keenly interested in her husband's work and her love of the wild things, the mountains and lakes compensate for the lack of luxuries of city life. Both the ranger and his wife are extremely happy and contented in this quiet life of protecting the forest and its denizens." Janet South, wife of Ranger Ken South, recalls that in the early days of the AFS the Ranger in charge of a District was the only person employed by the Forest Service. It wasn't until the 1940s that Assistant Rangers started being hired for some of the districts. In the interim the Ranger's wife often filled the role of part time radio operator, office clerk, receptionist, dispatcher, weather observer and a host of other duties. "The Ranger was not just the Fire Ranger or the Timber Inspector, he was also the Game Guardian. With the office attached to the house and with only a sliding door between the office and the kitchen, that had a one-inch space under the door, this posed a problem of sorts. In the spring the trappers would bring their beaver pelts to the forestry office to have them "stamped" or "sealed" prior to selling them locally or shipping the pelts to an outside fur market. Not only would the odour of fresh beaver pelts drift into the kitchen and mix with the smell of a meal being prepared, but the dog, in our case a German Shepherd, would have his nose at the space under the door checking out both the trapper and his winter catch of fur." South said that in the northern districts the Cree language was still the first language and broken English often made it difficult to communicate clearly. In an attempt to fit into the community, families did their best to learn the language. It helped them and the children to use Cree words for food while the family was around the table at meal times. Words like totosapoo (milk), totosapowepime (butter) and nipe (water) were quickly learnt by the children, as well as how to count in Cree. "Most days the Ranger would leave on a patrol first thing in the morning and be away all day, leaving his wife to handle any public visitors who came to the Ranger Station. If the office was closed because the Ranger was out, the locals never failed to knock on the door of the house. The most common requirements were to get their beaver pelts sealed, get a receipt for the renewal of their trapline for the coming year or to get a fire permit. The forestry radio would always remain turned on, the volume turned up and the office door into the residence left open so as to monitor it while looking after the children, doing house work and other household duties. The forest headquarters office and staff were quick to take advantage of the wives by expecting them to answer the regular radio "skeds" (regular radio check-ins - usually Ranger Dexter Champion and his wife Louise and son Jay at the Kananaslcis lakes Ranger Station, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountalns Forest Reserve, 1937. The ranger in charge of this station has an altogether different type of mtk from that of the IVIoose IVIountain station. Bridges are to be repaired and game preserved, as no firearms or hunters are allowed in the district. Rivers are to be patrolled for fishing. The last two summers [1935 and 1936], both the Upper and Lower Lakes have been stocked with cut-throat and Dolly Varden trout Jay Champion photo; Calgary Herald article 1937 A Way of Life four times daily - including weekends), and send and receive radio messages. The radios were the only communications link the Ranger had should a family emergency occur or should he be called back to the district headquarters to action a new fire or similar unexpected task." South said that the Ranger was responsible for a number of lookouts or towers within Ranger District boundaries. In the Keg River District there were four towers. At month end there would be shopping to do for these four tower people, often the Assistant Ranger and ourselves included. As it was 63 miles, one way, to the grocery store, on a gravel road that could often be muddy, it made sense to shop just once a month. Shopping for six families made for a long day. To forget anything meant a wait of another month for an item that may make a difference to that individual. This extra duty had its benefits. Having to rely on one another, the towerman and the Ranger's family would often become good friends. A Sunday drive could often mean a visit to the tower, an opportunity for the children to climb the tower and look around, then a treat of cookies and juice. "Before the Forest Service began building new housing for all stations. Ranger families lived in some unique homes. The logs of the old log house at Keg River had seen better days and if one was to look beneath the kitchen window, while sitting at the kitchen table, it was possible to look outside, through the parting between the windowsill and the log below the sill. Wintering in such a house brought additional problems. This particular house had lost a lot of chinking between the logs allowing snow to blow in and pile up on the floor. Needless to say this did not make for a warm home. The only heat source was a wood burning kitchen stove and an oil heater in every room except the bedroom. Going away for the day without ensuring the oil stoves were filled beforehand meant returning to find the pail of water or quart of milk frozen solid. There was no need to have a fridge. "The old well behind the house was a real antique. It had been dug by hand and was cribbed with a windlass on top. To get water for the home one had to go to the well and lower the pail on a rope from the windless. When the pail was at the surface of the water a quick flip of the rope caused the pail to tip on its side and fall into the water allowing the pail to fill. The windless was then turned by hand, the water poured from the well pail to another pail for carrying the water into the house. An advantage in the summertime was that the water was always cold; a nice drink on a hot day." For the wives in the north, with children and many duties and many inconveniences, life was lonely. They lived many miles away from family and roads were not what they are today, so it was a long time between visits. Friends were important for the adults and the children. Our children played with their siblings and looked forward to any visits by friends. In 1958, Marilyn Peter joined her husband Art on his first job at Fox Creek, living 11 months in the forestry cache - a frame building 12 by 16 feet with no water - because the assistant ranger's house had not yet been built. She also recalled dispatching fire crews, equipment and supplies by prearrangement with Art who could reach her on the radio. At this time, in the 1960s, the office was part of the Ranger's house. Marilyn and Audrey O'Shea recalled how they were always on the radio and answering the phone when their husbands. Art and Kelly, were out. In addition the ladies also responded to visitors at the door such as lumbermen, farmers, settlers, trappers, hunters and fishermen. Their lives were disrupted less often when offices were separated from the residence. Alberta Forest Service Members of the Alberta Forest Service (AFS) lived and worked in every type of environment, from fly-infested muskeg to craggy mountaintop. They saw momentous changes in technology, from early aircraft and telephones to all the refinements and comparative comforts of the late 20th century. Following are some photographs from the early years, giving a flavour of the type of life, and the type of person, encountered in the service of the AFS. All photos, unless otherwise identified, are from the Dominion Forestry Branch or AFS, and in the possession of the Alberta Forest History Photo Collection (AFHPC). A home COL Office and HQ building at Coalspur, Brazeau Forest, Roclcy Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912; frame buildings were built if a railway or local sawmill was close enough to supply materials 'li. Mrs. Millar inside the newly-built Wilson Ranger Station cabin, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912. The log walls had not yet been chinked. This area is now under water with construction of the Bighorn Dam in 1970 Wilson Ranger Station outfit ready to be packed, with Mrs. Millar and Betty Millar, wife and daughter of Chief Inspector Forest Reserves Willis Millar A Way of Life 1/ Alberta Forest Service he Bow River jntains Forest lis cabin is now twriglit Ranch Athabasca Forest HQ house at Entrance, 1917. This was a busy ranger station, located on the railway and trail head for both the Mountain Trail and Lower Trail that met again at Grande Cache on the Big Smoky River The Moberly cabin on the Lower Trail, Athabasca Forest, 1940 - now preserved at the Hinton Training Centre Yarrow cache, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1911. Caches were very rudimentary buildings designed to store fireflghting materials and food. In a pinch they could be used as overnight shelter, though many had a rather ripe smell to them because of packrats A Way of Life Alberta Forest Service On the trail Corduroy bridge, McLean Creek, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1914 Corduroy was made of small logs laid tightly together to help horses cross soft ground On the Assiniboine Trail, Lesser Slave Forest Reserve, 1911 Supervisor McAbee (R) at native Stoney camp and meat rack on the Brazeau River, drying meat so it could be used for months on the trail. Brazeau Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1913 A Way of Life Alberta Forest Service Interior, Baptiste River forestry cabin, Clearwater Forest, 1914. The logs on this cabin were hewn flat with a broad axe, making the interior walls smoother Trail builders' campground - horse blankets drying on bushes - Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1915 Supervisor's teepee, Sentinel District on the Highwood River, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1914. The teepee -style tent was used for a long time. It had enough headroom in which to stand and could be heated with a small fire inside. Note saddle kept up off the ground at left, to protect it from rodents A Way of Life mmm Brushing teeth at beaver pond, Bow River Forest. Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912 Ranger Freddie Nash and Assistant Ranger L.L. Waikle on summit of IVIount Burke, Bow River Forest, 1928. AFS staff named Nash Meadows at the Bighorn Ranger Station in memory of Ranger Nash Supervisor McAbee and Ranger Muncaster prepare lunch near Junction Creek, Elbow River, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912 Inspector Willis Millar with Clearwater River trout caught with darning needle and some linen thread. Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1913 Native Stoney guide skins out mountain goat on the Siffleur River for fresh meat, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1912 Alberta Forest Service Car on narrow trail cleared by hand and horse (Gunnery Grade) above Sentinel (Highwood) River, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1925. Note phone line strung along the river Traveling the road to Aura (Ghost) Ranger Station, northwest of Calgary, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1921 New bridge span over Gorge Creek, Highwood District, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1925 Spring break-up - water on the trail at Ram Lookout, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1956 Roadbed slumping near Livingstone Gap, Crowsnest Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1940 Ranger Pat Foley with dog sled team he used to get around the area north of Smith in the winter, Slave Lake, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1946 Lou Foley A Way of Life Forest survey crew trying to upright a rolled Bombi, 1959. A Bombi was a tracked personnel carrier made by Bombardier Cliff Smith Brand new snow cruiser at Waterways, near Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche Division, 1948. Machine was used for winter timber cruising along the Clearwater and Athabasca River valleys Jacl( Roy Repairing track and wheel assembly on tracked vehicle, fall, 1959, Slave Lake Forest. Doug Lyons (L) and Fermen L'Hirondelle. Lyons was the Forester-in-Charge Survey Parties Cliff Smith Seismic inspection in the IVIeekwap Lake area (north of Fox Creek), Whitecourt Forest, spring, 1972. Forest Officer Don Podlubny beside Nodwell tracked vehicle Don Welsh Forest Officer Lou Foley driving a J-5 Bombardier tracked vehicle on timber cruising trip on corduroy trail across creek, 1966 Bruce MacGregor Alberta Forest Service Patrolling on foot powered speeder, Slave Rangers Greenwood and Ranee patrolling the Brazeau Forest, Lake, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1930s Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, on DFB speeder, 1913 Firefighters transported on speeders along the Northern Alberta Railway between Lac La Biche and Fort McMurray, Cheecham siding, Lac La Biche Division, 1960 A Way of Life Ranger John Elliot used St. Bernard dogs to help Fort McWIurray Air Service plane covered against carry supplies while on patrol, Hinton, 1949 winter cold, Fort McMurray, 1952. The plane was Neil Giiiiat being used for flying surveys for the rabies control program Jack Roy Forest Survey crew crossing river with Bombardier, Slave Lake Forest, 1959. Standing (L to R): Church, Joe McNamara, Stu Cameron, Malcolm Broatch. Seated: Bob Fraser (cook), Fermen L'Hirondelle, Doug Lyons Cliff Smith Ranger Dale Huberdeau used this Snow Scoot for transportation in the winter months around the Fort McKay Ranger Station, Lac La Biche Division, mid-1960s Corinne Huberdeau Alberta Forest Service Government team, Red Deer Wagon A Way of Life Above the timberline, head of the Snake Indian River, Athabasca Forest, Rocl(y IVIountains Forest Reserve (now in Jasper National Park), 1914 Sometimes two horses were packed in tandem with lengths of lumber. Materials were for construction of Blue Hill Lookout, Red Deer District, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1927 Hauling supplies on the Black Rock Trail, Devil's Thumb in distance, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1928 Grueling duty - horses drag lumber to summit for construction of Coliseum Lookout, near Nordegg, Clearwater Forest, 1927. Hauling lumber by this travels method was easier on the horses than the tandem method, but needed a wider trail Alberta Forest Service Ranger Neil Gilliat packing "Oats" outside tlie Moberly Ranger Station, Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1951 Neil Gilliat On the trail to Cameron Lookout, Bow River Forest Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1929 Moving water barrel and supplies to Cameron Lookout on Burke Mountain, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1929 Supervisor McAbee puts blanket on horses, Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1929 Moke the trusty pack mule, Brazeau Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1913 A Way of Life Alberta Forest Service River travel Crossing the Red Deer River, Bow River Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1913. Fords were cliosen at widened points where the water was shallower and footing firm for horses A Way of Life Fording Prairie Creek, Clearwater Forest, Rocky IVIountains Forest Reserve, 1911 Tracl(ing (pulling canoe) up the Athabasca River, Lesser Slave Forest Reserve, 1911 Alberta Forest Service Jumping the Vermilion cliutes on the Peace River, 1906 Abandoned dugout canoe, Lesser Slave Lake, Lesser Slave Forest Reserve, 1911 Fire patrol boat Rey, Athabasca River, 1916. The boat was based at Athabasca Landing and patrolled between Grand Rapids and Mirror Landing Alberta Forest Service The 42-foot forestry tug M.V. Athabasca, built in 1967, moved crew and gear on the lower Athabasca River out of Fort McMurray A Way of Life CHAPTER 4 tange Momentous Change The years 1948 and 1949 saw momentous changes. Financial support for the Alberta Forest Service (AFS) was at last becoming available after years of constrained visions and plans. Unfortunately, Ted Blefgen, Director of Forestry, had to retire due to ill health. It was disappointing for him since his retirement coincided with a major - and positive - turning-point in government support for the AFS. However, Blefgen was able to follow and appreciate all the advances and improvements that ensued in the following years. Blefgen was succeeded as director by Eric S. Huestis, a native Albertan who studied forestry at the University of British Columbia. He started in 1923 with the Dominion Forestry Branch (DFB) and worked on most of the forest reserves before moving to Edmonton as Assistant Director of Forestry in 1940. When the Game Branch was transferred from the Department of Agriculture to the Department of Lands and Mines in 1941, Huestis received the additional responsibilities of Fish and Game Commissioner (without an increase in salary!). His knowledge and experience along with his determination and firm resolve guided the major developments within the AFS for the next 14 years. He finished his career in the position of Deputy Minister of Lands and Forests in 1966. Eric Huestis Provincial Archives of Alberta, PA2720-11 had greatly increased after the war, a result of returning veterans as well as immigrants looking for new opportunities. Experience with unplanned homesteading had highlighted problems such as settlers failing on lands unsuitable for agriculture, land-clearing fires escaping into forests, game poaching, and the cost of providing infrastructure such as roads, schools and utilities. Two of the strongest reasons for creating the Green Area were included in the preamble to the Order in Council: 'Tt is desirable to prevent settlement and indiscriminate squatting on these lands that are incapable of providing sufficient sustenance for a settler and his family. Many of these lands have a nucleus for Land Use Planning One of the most far-sighted pieces of legislation was the Order in Council of January 29, 1948, defining the "Green Area" of Alberta. Requests for homesteads Alberta Forest Service Executive meeting November 22, 1946. Meeting held at the Edmonton Royal George Hotel Back Row: (L to R) Ed Noble, Jacl( Janssen, Ted Keats, Not Identified, Not Identified, Eric Huestis, Tony Earnsliaw, Jack Rogers, Herb Hall, Ted Hammer, Not Identified, Bill Woods. Middle Row: Bill Cronk, Fred Smith, Frank Neilson, Ted Blefgen, Not Identified, John Harvie, Harry Taylor, Jim Hutchison, Vic Mitchell. Front Row: Not Identified, Not Identified, Tony Urquhart, Donald Buck, Not Identified, Walter Ronahan, Not Identified, Scottie Lang, Not Identified Provincial Archives of Alberta, BL1242 Alberta Forest Service 1948 - 1965 establishment of a valuable forest cover, which if given the essential protection will replenish to a very substantial degree in future years the timber cut to meet the requirements of the Second World War." The Green Area map showed the reserved forest in green, potential agricultural lands in yellow, and predominantly agriculturally-suited lands in white. The Green Area was intended to reserve forested lands from settlement. The Yellow Area was also reserved from settlement, at least until soil surveys were done and lands suitable for agriculture released in an orderly way. The AFS was thus able to focus its efforts on the Green Area, and to base its forest management planning on those lands most likely to remain forested. The AFS was also responsible for timber Building the Forestry Trunl( Road, Mist Creek, Bow River Forest, 1951 Alberta Government, AFHPC Cat Creek portion of Forestry Trunl< Road, Highwood District, Bow River Forest, 1950. Note snags from 1936 fires Alberta Government, AFHPC and prevention and suppression of fires on forested lands in the Yellow Area. In 1949 the former Department of Lands and Mines was split, reflecting the greatly increased activity in oil and gas, as well as interest in public lands and forests. Minister Nathan Tanner and his Deputy John Harvie stayed on in charge of both new departments - Mines and Minerals, and Lands and Forests. Eric Huestis remained Director of Forestry, continuing to play a strong leadership role both within the AFS and in his relationship with the Minister and government. A second major development saw final agreements approved for the Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board (ERFCB) in 1948. This was a joint federal-provincial agreement in which both governments recognized that the three southern forests - Crowsnest, Bow River and Clearwater - were important watershed areas and that both governments shared concern about Alberta's financial ability to protect and manage them. The rationale for federal participation was based on the Saskatchewan River system that connected the three prairie provinces. It was estimated that 85 per cent of the flow in the South Saskatchewan River originated on the 15 per cent of the headwaters area lying in the Forest Reserves and National Parks. As a start, the federal government contributed $6 million in capital for roads, ranger stations, fire control facilities and equipment. Both governments shared the cost of operation for 14 years. Policy was set by a joint federal-provincial board, on which federal members were initially the majority. The major legacy of the ERFCB was the Forestry Trunk Road running north from Blairmore to Kananaskis and eventually to Nordegg, providing for fire, grazing and timber access and supporting tourism. Initial construction was sound and the road has served well for more than 50 years. The forestry trunk road now extends further north linking Hinton and Grande Prairie. Administrative control of the trunk road was returned to the AFS in 1959 after 12 years of operation under the ERFCB. Alberta Forest Service Forest Management Planning Eric Huestis had long advocated an inventory of the forest as a basis of planning for sustained yield forest management, but funds were previously unavailable. AFS staff assessed timber stands as timber sale applications were received, but there was no clear overview of the extent of the northern forest. There was also a need for up- to-date maps, especially for the forested areas. As Huestis later explained, the lack of maps was also a problem for the exploration activities of the oil and gas industry. He explained the problem to the Minister and was able to convince him, based on the concerns of the oil and gas sector, to proceed with a contract to have aerial photographs taken of the province. These photos were used to produce a set of base maps showing geographic features, roads and other improvements at a uniform scale. Huestis arranged to insert a clause in the contract allowing for a forest inventory for that part of the province lying south of latitude 54 (east- west line that runs approximately from St. Paul to Grande Cache) excluding the area controlled by the ERFCB. A contract for this broad scale (later called the Phase I) inventory was issued on November 2, 1949, to the Photographic Surveys Corporation (PSC) in Toronto. Although the entire Mine props salvaged from the 1936 Galatea fire, Bow River Forest, 1941 Alberta Government, AFHPC province was photographed, this initial forest inventory was completed for the southern portion of the province only. To make sure the inventory was done properly, Huestis hired Reginald D. Loomis to manage the project. Loomis had previous experience with the DFB in developing photogrammetric techniques (measuring forest cover from photographs), and had also applied these techniques with forest companies in eastern Canada. During his career with the AFS Loomis made a tremendous contribution to forestry, starting with the forest inventory and quickly extending his vision to forest management, silviculture and land use. Huestis also visited the University of British Columbia in the spring of 1949 to explain his plans for the AFS to the graduating class. He hired nine of the graduates. Bob Steele, John Hogan and Trevor Charles were brought in and loaned to PSC for the forest inventory. Owen Bradwell, Stan Hughes, Jim Clark and Charlie Jackson were hired to be assistant forest superintendents at Blairmore, Calgary, Rocky Mountain House and Edson. Victor Heath and Bill Bloomberg worked on various assignments out of Edmonton, including establishment of the Forestry Training School at Kananaskis. These men constituted the start of a revitalized service working to meet evolving demands and pressures in Alberta. As the first forest inventory project neared (LtoR): Not Identified, Rangers Jack Naylor and Harry Jeremy conduct tree measurements at Kananaskis, 1953 Alberta Government, AFHPC 1948 - 1965 completion, Huestis and Loomis agreed they should extend it to include the rest of the province. Following passage of the Alberta Natural Resources Act in 1930, the Alberta Forests Act had been hastily pasted together from the previous federal legislation. However, after 18 years of experience and a great deal of thought, a new Alberta-focused Forests Act was passed in 1949. An interesting new clause permitted the government to enter into agreements for areas able to support pulp mills. It had been noted in 1948 that there was much timber which was too small for sawlogs and ties, but which would be suitable for manufacture of wood pulp. The new clause stated that the government might: "enter into an agreement, to be described as John Hogan, in charge of Forestry Training School, Kananasl(is, 1953 - 1955 Alberta Government, AFHPC a forest management license ... for the management of public lands . . . reserved for the sole use of the licensee for the purpose of growing continuously and perpetually successive crops of forest products to be harvested in approximately equal annual or periodic cuts adjusted to the sustained yield capacity of the lands." This was the first time that the term "sustained yield" had been used in Alberta legislation. Sustained yield embraces the principle of harvesting only as much timber as the forest can replace through growth. Inquiries about pulp mill possibilities had been noted in Annual Reports as early as 1946. An application was submitted by Edmonton Pulp and Paper Mills Ltd in 1949, the same year in which the Act was passed. In 1954, the first agreement was successfully concluded for North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. (NWPP), which subsequently built a pulp mill at Hinton. The new Forests Act marked the beginning of serious discussions about constructing major forest products mills in Alberta. Training Programs With all forestry practices becoming more technical, Huestis had been promoting training programs to keep field staff up to date on new techniques. It was also becoming difficult to recruit new staff members who already possessed woodsmanship, timber cruising and forest fire control skills. Ranger Bill Shankland conducted the first formal course starting in January, 1947 for returning war veterans. The plan was to select potential new recruits who would spend the winter doing coursework in Calgary, then move to the Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station for fieldwork during the spring. Students were assigned to Ranger Districts for the summer and more coursework was planned for the fall. The first parts went well, but there was a high Bill Bloomberg (L) and Victor Heath, instructors at Forestry Training School, Kananaskis, 1951 Alberta Government, AFHPC Jack Macnab (L), instructor, and Peter Murphy, Forester in charge. Training Branch, 1960 Alberta Government, AFHPC dropout rate during the summer so the fall session was cancelled. Dick Radke was one of the persistent and successful candidates, finishing his career as Forest Superintendent at Whitecourt. Then, in 1950, a joint AFS and National Parks Service eight-week course that Huestis supported was held in the Banff School of Fine Arts. This class of 20 was drawn equally from both agencies. The course was successful in that it clearly showed the value of in-service training. Huestis Alberta Forest Service First class of Fire Control Officers, Chief Rangers and Aircraft Dispatchers at Forestry Training School in Hinton, about 1962 Back Row (L to R): John Benson, Ted Bootle, Art Lambeth, Neil Gilliat, Irv Frew, Jack Naylor, Joe Kirkpatrick, Bernie Brower, Ernie Ferguson, Rex Winn, Del Hereford, Bill Kostiuk, Bob Diesel, Ben Shantz, Dick Mackie. Middle Row: August Gatzke, Bernie Simpson, Jim Hereford, Bert Prowse, Lou Babcock, Lou Boulet, Harry Edgecombe. Front Row: Carl Larson, Dick Radke, Pat Donnelly, Jack Grant, John Booker Alberta Government, AFHPC asked foresters Victor Heath and Bill Bloomberg to organize an AFS program that would focus on the more specific needs of AFS Forest Rangers. The first Forestry Training School was held under their direction in the fall of 1951, with a class of 20 rangers. Heath and Bloomberg had put together an intensive 10-week program using the residential facilities at the Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station, the former prisoner-of-war camp. The results were so successful that this basic in- service program was continued into the 1970s when it was replaced by the NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Edmonton) Forestry Program. The Forestry Training School (FTS) continued each fall at Kananaskis until 1959. John Hogan ran the school from 1953 to 1955 and Peter Murphy took over in January, 1956. The FTS program was extended to over 12 weeks, and a new program for Fish and Wildlife officers was introduced during the summer of 1959. Training courses for lookout staff were developed and run at field headquarters Norman Willmore opening the Forestry Training School, Hinton, October, 1960 Alberta Government, AFHPC during the spring. Increased training to upgrade staff plus a need to ensure personnel were familiar with new activities in the forest led to construction of a new Forestry Training School at Hinton. It was officially opened by Minister Norman Willmore in October, 1960, with a 20-man basic ranger course as its first offering. Additional in- service training programs quickly followed, including ones for tower staff and a host of new fire control training courses. Training was extended outside the AFS to add First Nation and Metis trainees, and also non- forestry-trained personnel such as farmers who served as fire bosses and patrolmen. Planning began in 1963 for an Advanced Forestry course and a cooperative two-year Forest Technology program with NAIT. The latter program was to be the first post-secondary Ranger and instructor Sam Sinclair instructs one of his trainee straw bosses. A straw boss is the working supervisor of an eight-person firefighting crew. The straw boss reported to a crew boss, who was in charge of three crews plus cook, cook's helper and timekeeper (total of 28 people). Sinclair headed the first AFS native firefighter training program in the 1960s Alberta Government, AFHPC 1948 - 1965 Pilot with Forest Superintendent Hank Ryhanen and Des Crossley, NWPP Chief Forester, 1963 Alberta Government, AFHPC forestry program in Alberta. Huestis and NAIT president Al Saunders discussed the concept in 1963, then Steele and Murphy followed up with detailed planning. The unique arrangement was that students would attend NAIT in Edmonton for the first year to take advantage of the college's technical curriculum and facilities. George Ontkean and Joe Rickert both moved from the AFS to take over that responsibility with NAIT for the first class in the fall of 1964. During the second year, students came to the Forest Training School (which became the Forest Technology School in 1965) to build on the academic education received at NAIT. This made it possible to hire four new instructors to add strength to the Hinton school: John Wagar, Dick Altmann, Stan Lockard and John Morrison. The Advanced Forestry course was an intensive one-year program designed to build on the Basic Ranger course to upgrade ranger staff to an academically equivalent level. In the fall of 1965 both the first Advanced Forestry course and students from the first second-year class of the NAIT Forest Technology Program moved to FTS to complete their academic programs. Some of the NAIT students who graduated in the spring of First AFS Junior Forest Wardens camp, Forestry Training School, Hinton, 1960 Back Row (L to R): S.J. Macnab (School Supervisor), Douglas Davidson, Jim Wilson (Hinton Group Leader), Noel Armstrong, John Ross (Slave Lake Group Leader), Ricky Dempsey, Jim Affolter, Wayne Michener, Ricky Christie, Lou Foley, Floyd Collin (Edson Group Leader) Front Row: Gerry Kirkpatrick, Allan Wahlstrom, Gordie Sinclair, Bruce MacGregor, Dennis Maine, Teddy Armstrong, Charles Litke, Dennis Calvert, Terry Caswell. Lou Foley is a third-generation ranger; Bruce MacGregor is a second-generation ranger Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 joined the AFS. Youth Programs The first Junior Forest Warden club in Alberta was started by Des Crossley and his staff at North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. at Hinton, and developed under the leadership of former AFS ranger Robin Huth in 1957. Two more clubs in Edson and Wabamun were formed later, and the government assumed leadership for a provincial network in 1960. The program was headquartered at the FTS at Hinton and directed first by Jack Macnab and later by Terry Whiteley. Lou Foley and Bruce MacGregor were two young Junior Forest Wardens in 1960 who later made a career in the AFS. During the summer of 1965 the Junior Forest Rangers (JFR), a work program for high school students 17 and 18 years old, began. It also was operated by the Training Branch out of the FTS at Hinton. Three camps were run that summer. They were led by three AFS rangers (Emanual Doll, Larry Huberdeau and Horst Rohde) all of whom had opted to take the two-year Forest Technology program through NAIT rather than wait to take the in-service Advanced Forestry course later. They ensured that the JFR program, which continues to the present day, was successful. Administration Forest rangers had been provided with uniforms for the first time in 1949 with staff contributing to the cost of the winter jacket. Prior to this the only "uniform" was a badge, so the introduction of the uniform was a welcome event that stimulated a great deal of pride. With the expansion of ranger staff into the northern districts during the early 1950s, rangers Alberta Forest Service often found themselves to be the sole government agent in their communities. By this time rangers had become involved in the administration of traplines and in enforcing game and fisheries regulations as part of their duties. Rangers were still responsible for sealing beaver pelts in the late 1940s when beaver numbers began to increase. A serious decline had occurred previously due to a combination of over-trapping and an outbreak of tularemia, an infectious disease. With the population increase, trappers were allowed to take a limited quota, usually based on one animal per beaver house in the trapping area. In addition, rangers in the north became the primary contact for aboriginal people and others when dealing with government and served as the "go- between" with industrial activities. Most rangers had a good rapport with residents in their districts. (L to R) Ben Shantz, Fire Control Officer, Whitecourt; Dale Huberdeau, Forest Ranger, Fox Creek and Ross Ewing, Office Manager, Whitecourt Headquarters. The men were attending a firefighter training course, 1966 Alberta Government, AFHPC Advanced Ranger Course Forest Technology School, first graduating class, 1966 Back Row (L to R): Al Walker, Colin Campbell, Karl Altschwager, Harold Enfield, Ray Hill. Middle Row: Howard Morigeau, David Schenk, Dick Girardi, Oliver Glanfield. Front Row: Fred Facco, Harry Jeremy, Hyrum Baker Alberta Government, AFHPC Forest Protection Prompted by concern over inadequate funding for forestry and forest fire control. Minister Tanner in 1950 commissioned an outside study by Wallace Delahey, a forestry consultant from Toronto. Delahey offered suggestions for increased support for and efficiencies within the AFS on which Huestis and his staff were able to draw as the service grew and activities in the forest continued to expand. Delahey began his report ^ by describing the multiple values and uses of the forest. However, the focus of his report was on forest fire protection. As he stated: "The prime problem which must be solved above all others is that of Ranger Frank Jones with the new AFS uniform, Castle Ranger Station, Crowsnest Forest, 1949 Alberta Government, AFHPC giving Alberta's forests reasonable protection against the criminal carelessness with fire that has obtained to date and which again reached such disastrous proportions in the summer of 1949." Delahey made 43 recommendations, 26 of which dealt directly with fire, plus eight closely related to fire and administration. Seven dealt with forest inventory and timber, one with forest insects and diseases and one with forest research. Delahey paid particular tribute to staff 1948 - 1965 Footner Lake fire lookout, 1950 Alberta Government, AFHPC members of the AFS: . . it has been encouraging to experience the enthusiasm for the cause of better forest protection and management displayed by almost all members of the Forest Service, and this in spite of the discouraging fact that repeated recommendations and requests, over the years, for additional personnel and equipment, construction of lookout towers, roads, aerial patrols, etc., seldom received any tangible recognition. "The present staff make up an excellent foundation on which to develop the expanded organization that is required and recommended herewith. Their years of experience and their enthusiasm for better protection and management will act as a real stimulant to bring out the best in the men who will be appointed to the expanded organization. "Practically no members of the NAFD [Northern Alberta Forest District] staff have had technical training in forestry. In the past this has not been a handicap as their work has been almost entirely on administration. However, the recommendations contained herein provide for progressive steps towards Forest Management and to make for sound progress this will necessitate that some technical foresters be added to the staff." Additional types of equipment - such as bulldozers, which had been refined during the war years - were now being employed in firefighting. In 1951, the first year in which their use was authorized for fires, it was stipulated that ministerial approval of the "unusual" expense must first be obtained. Bulldozers had proven effective in building fire guards in other areas, and were demonstrably faster than men with hand tools. The government of Alberta, however, initially felt that the cost of renting them for firefighting was much too high when compared with wages that were still in the range of 15-25 cents per hour. The serious 1950 fire season in northern Alberta, and most notably the Chinchaga River fire, prompted a reassessment of firefighting policy and led to two important changes. The first change enabled the hiring of bulldozers to fight fire, with ministerial permission. In 1952 this was changed to allow the forest superintendent to hire the first bulldozer. Ministerial permission was required to hire Forest survey crew at Imperial Mills, Lac La Biche Forest, 1950. (L to R) Bill Collins, Jim Keenan, Trevor Charles and Bob Steele. Charles and Steele were two of the foresters hired by Huestis in 1949 Alberta Government, AFHPC Hauling a bulldozer across the Athabasca River by raft, near Dutchman's Creek, Whitecourt District, July, 1956. The raft was nicknamed S.S. Hammer after Ted Hammer, Chief Timber Inspector and Director of Forest Protection. The dozer was being transported to Fire 36-1-56 Mel Willis additional machines. The second change concerned the Protected Area. In 1950, fire suppression in the northern part of the province (above a line running north of the towns of Peace River, Slave Lake and Lac La Biche) could only be undertaken for fires within Alberta Forest Service 10 miles of a town, navigable river or railway. These limits were removed in 1952, although a shortage of resources and access remained a limiting factor. The Rocky Mountain Section of the Canadian Institute of Forestry, formed in 1949, provided a forum for foresters and rangers to meet and discuss state-of-the-art forestry. One of the major North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. mill at Hinton. Construction of Alberta's first pulp mill started in 1955 with first production in 1957 Bob Stevenson Frank Piatt initiated many improvements in fire control Alberta Government, AFHPC Firefighting crew and builders of the S.S. Hammer, named after Ted Hammer who became head of Forest Protection. The raft was built during Fire 36-1-56 in July, 1956 (L to R): Ed Jackman, Charlie Duncan (Sr.), Jack Macnab, Frank Harvey, Clarence Weeks, Fred Lewis, Jack MacGregor, Mel Willis, Nick Nickalatlan, Gordon McKin, Rein Krause (Superintendent, Whitecourt Forest), Peter Parranto, Harry Wedow, Joe Beeman Mel Willis concerns among foresters was the perceived inadequacy in fire control, so the Section compiled a comprehensive brief and presented it to the Minister in 1954. It was strongly critical of the low levels of funding for ranger staff. equipment, access and applied technology. Huestis welcomed the intervention, but was unable to get the government to respond until after the major fires of 1956. Ted Hammer was appointed head of Forest Protection to replace Jack Janssen, who retired in 1954. Frank Piatt, a returned war veteran and timber inspector at Entwistle, was brought into Edmonton in 1953 to work with Hammer. Together, they began building a case for increased support for fire control and field administration. The catalyst for change was the particularly severe fire season during the spring and early summer of 1956. The season included three serious fires that burned within or into the new lease of North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. These fires threatened the viability of the multi- million dollar investment in Alberta's first pulp mill, which was also located in the riding of the Minister of Lands and Forests, Norman Willmore. At the suggestion of Huestis, the mill staff wrote an analytical but critical brief to the govenment, pointing out their concerns and suggesting options to consider. Huestis arranged a meeting between mill staff and the AFS that fall, and urged both parties to work together to make workable and supportable recommendations. These actions led to increased funding for a marked build-up in fire control capability. Another serious fire year in 1961 further tested the system, and also resulted in increased support. Under the leadership of Ted Hammer and Frank Piatt, the AFS fire control organization grew considerably. These were 1948 - 1965 ' . dynamic times for the AFS and provided a good foundation for continuing political support and development. Primary elements of the expanding fire control program included splitting the large northern ranger districts into smaller ones, building new ranger stations and rationalizing and modernizing existing towers to create a network that covered the entire forested part of the province. Access to fires was improved by the purchase of the first aircraft in 1957, leasing of helicopters, construction Bertie Beaver was a gift from Walt Disney in gratitude to Eric Huestis and the AFS for their cooperation and for lending facilities in Kananaskis which Disney used while making two films, one of which was "Nikki, Wild Dog of the North." The Bertie Beaver symbol caught on and became Alberta's unique mascot for forest fire control and forest management efforts. Forest Management Alberta's forest management capability and activity increased dramatically with the leadership of Reg Loomis. North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. was the first pulp mill company in Alberta. Staff of the AFS and the company pioneered many of the principles of present-day forest practice. The mill had its beginning in 1951 when Frank Ruben registered the company and signed a conditional Forest Management Licence with the Alberta government. Ruben owned a Part of the head office 'team' in the late 1950s, (L to R): Franic Piatt, Chariie Jaci(son, Ted Hammer, Herb Haii, Eric Huestis and Loia Cameron Bruce MacGregor Forestry fioat, Rocl(y iVIountain House parade, Ciearwater Forest, 1952 Jack Roy Wait Disney, creator of the Bertie Beaver mascot, at IVIcCaii Airport in Caigary, 1965 Alberta Government, AFHPC of landing strips and extension of roads. All of this meant adding new staff members for the districts, along with specialists to direct construction activities, aircraft management and extension of the radio system. The mascot Bertie Beaver appeared on the scene in 1958 as a symbol to encourage public awareness of forest fire prevention programs. coalmine near Robb and envisaged combining the energy from coal with timber resources to manufacture pulp. He eventually formed a partnership with the St. Regis Paper Company of New York, together signing an agreement with the Alberta government in 1954 that led to construction of the mill at Hinton in 1955. Des Crossley, previously a research scientist with the Alberta Forest Service Canadian Forest Service, became Chief Forester that same spring. Initial plans had called for the mill to be built outside Edson, by the McLeod River. Detailed technical studies indicated, however, that the McLeod's water supplies were insufficient for the mill's needs so they moved the site to Hinton. The first Forest Management Agreement (FMA) was a distinctively Alberta innovation. Originally called a Forest Management Licence or Pulpwood Agreement, the FMA was intended to create partnerships with industry to share protection and management responsibilities. The FMA required the holder to construct a pulp mill, develop a Forest Management Plan and specific annual operating plans, build and maintain their own roads, pay timber dues and fees as part of their commitment to forest management, and maintain a head office in Alberta. Staff of both NWPP and the province took these responsibilities seriously. Crossley, together with Loomis and Charlie Jackson of the AFS and their respective staff members, worked out details that set a notable precedent in Canadian forestry. Among their innovations was the concept of ground rules that enabled professional judgement to meet agreed-upon objectives instead of setting arbitrary rules. In the spirit of what is now called 'Adaptive Management,' the results of those rules and practices were monitored and changes made as required. Ground rules have since evolved to provide rules and guidelines for logging practices - planning, roading, watershed protection, soil conservation and other objectives. While this was going on, Loomis, Bob Steele and staff in the AFS were completing the northern forest inventory and were preparing to put the rest of Alberta on the path to sustained yield forest management. Out of the negotiations and inventory work came a great deal of mutual cooperation, exchange of knowledge and understanding among all parties involved in getting modern forest management under way. The first set of forest inventory maps Ranger Jack and Mrs. Roy with Forestry Jeep on Yellowhead grade at Nojack (now Highway 16), Edson Forest, 1954 Jack Roy NAFD patrol cabin at Breton, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1952 Jack Roy Reg Loomis (sitting) Senior Superintendent of Forest Management and his assistant Charlie Jackson study the Department's cruise data, 1964 Alberta Government, AFHPC was completed, and in 1957, Forest Surveys Branch staff prepared a composite map for the province. By the use of colour codes it graphically illustrated the pervasive influence and extent of forest fires, providing information that had a profound influence on subsequent forest policy. The 1958-59 Annual Report of the Department of Lands and Forests noted two 1948 - 1965 7447 T.A. D.p.rtm.nt o( L,rJ. .nJ For.rt. PUBLIC NOTICE NOTICE OF SALE LICENCE TIMBER BEKTH NO, 4575. , ^ ofALED TENDER at 2-.30 T.e undersigned wlU ^^^^.^^^ 1,58 at the Rotunda. „.eIo.. in the afternoon the tKir een^^^ ,,,,,,, .i,.. to ^.;ltf-I«=errt.e — iand. ^^^^ ,.e Souti. East and -J. --^^^^^^^^ „ Ran.e .3. West r.^rSS^t^rcontl^U "t^Z^Z, 3.5.0CC E.B.M. Tixe Berth is estimated to ^""'^^^X" Balsam Fir timber •.ssrs s ~"v ... .... ». . Sf =,r;si,-S .egiatered ^^^^^^^^^^^tZn or fey registered • „a3t be filed :„ntLner in the ^o-fpt^l.^^^f Alberta or 'I'^^J^-^rcom^fnySg the initial automatically forfeited if the p Alberta Forest Service Licence Timber Berth No. 4575. The Ko,e.„ ZllJ.^ t^r^^' = of the Schedule $103.44, b„ng the cost incurred in cr"s7n. \ P=>""8 of c>>a.g... together^wUh the rental. Uc^re'ff; L^X^-;::;.-:,"*" ^^;«ental ■^hall be -newabfe'^forTwo ;e?r?whiW.' '*««ding one ^'eaTand q^tity of the fctod and dtoen'I^ J'^f.'^t" " °" ^ '^a'ient »cance .haH e.pire on th« 3,.t d^, of '.'IS^f^lfo'^r^f ItVL'^ ' ^^^^ following conditio™' '"""^ °* Berth will be subject to the All merchantable Balsam Fir sh^n k All merchantable fire-Mlle^r u All merchantable winclfX;^rbt^tr^ ^ Any method of logging causi.l ! ^ ^ ^tiU^ed. iZTr T"^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ All Blabs and edgings produced daring 0.e cW f ^ ^ ^^^i^^-- a cleared ar^a and surrounded bv alf. ! ^'^^ ^^^^H be piled on ^rs:s;i::eV-^f:ea-d4P =t=roi:VoTer^^^^^^^^^^ "-er. and .^Z::^^:^^:^^ "1- The Ministers • " ""P^^'*- ^'"iPPod sawtniU. -a^'. - Ms discretion, reject a„, or all tenders -^«l>er particulars „a. he Obtained upon application. EDMONTON. Alberta, October 24, 1958, E.S, HUESTIS, Director of Forestry. Typical public notice of timber berth sale, 1958. Rights to cut timber were usually sold by sealed tender to the buyer with the highest offer Alberta Government document 1948-1965 disparate events that symbolized the remarkable changes taking place during this period. Dr. V.A. Wood, Director of Lands, reported that there had been six wild horse roundup permits issued in 1958 that had resulted in the capture of 146 horses, of which 128 were taken in the Edson-Hinton area. This seems to have been the last of the "wild horse" roundups. Rangers in both the DFB and AFS had frequently obtained their saddle and pack horses this way. (See Harry Edgecombe's poem at the end of this chapter. Edgecombe's perennial contention was that a third-class ride beats first- class walking any time.) The second, more far- reaching, event was the statement in AFS Director Huestis' report that the policy of the AFS was to implement as quickly as possible sustained yield management on forest lands held by the Crown. He referred to the agreement with North Western Pulp & Power at Hinton as an example of an area already being managed for sustained yield. This commitment was made possible with completion of the forest inventory that laid the foundation for science-based forest management in Alberta. Forest management units averaging 1,930 square miles were established. As sustained yield annual allowable cut calculations became available for these forest management units, it became evident that a rationalization in the allocation of harvesting rights had to be made to prevent over-harvesting of some areas and to encourage utilization of mature stands in others. Ranger Bill Adams and fire prevention sign in Edson Forest, 1954 Jack Roy Ranger patrol, Bill Brackman (L) and Bill Adams, Edson Forest, 1952 Jack Roy Serious discussions with forest industry led to agreement on what was to become the "Quota System," in which forest companies would be allocated a quota of the allowable cut based on past production. This system is described in detail in Chapter 6. In the late 1950s initial forest management planning had been extended to every forest management unit. The management philosophy within these units was explained by Huestis in his Annual Report (Department of Lands and Forests) of 1959-60: "There has been a continued effort to establish the best possible methods in the control of timber cutting operations. The policy of the Department is to manage forests on a sustained yield basis, cutting only the yearly increment and making sure that forest areas cut over shall be reforested for the next crop. Management plans control the production in all forest areas accessible for timber harvesting operations. In addition, operators are required to prepare, submit for approval and carry out yearly cutting plans for their licensed timber berths. Present policy is to cut overmature and decadent stands of timber before cutting mature stands that are still increasing their yield through good growth." References to the impact of oilfield development on the forest began to appear during the 1950s. The Department's Annual Report of 1959-60 stated: "For some years now the oil industry has been pushing farther into our forested area. Exploration work has created Alberta Forest Service many thousands of miles of road with a resultant loss of timber. After an oil field is located, many more miles of roads, pipelines, well sites and battery sites are cleared with further loss of timber. Every effort is made to salvage as much of this timber as is economically possible." These activities, along with grazing and recreation and concerns about watershed integrity, led in 1960 to creation of a new Land Use Section in the Forest Management Branch. With increased industrial activity in the forest and growing public concerns, this Section soon became a branch in its own right. Its mandate was to "ensure that uses of land in the forested areas of the province are controlled to the best possible interest of conserving the forest as well as soil and water. Particular attention will be given to the activities of the development of petroleum and natural gas in the forest zone in order to reduce the possibilities of unnecessary damage to these other resources, i.e. forest, soil, wildlife and water."^ Administrative control of the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve returned entirely to AFS in 1959, when the area became once again fully integrated within the provincial AFS operations. The Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board continued in an advisory role until the agreement expired in 1962. Reforestation Support for silviculture and reforestation had been increasing gradually, spurred in part by the success of activities on the NWPP forest management area and encouragement from Reg Loomis who established a new posistion for a silviculture forester in 1959. Larry Kennedy, a Calling Lake Ranger Ernie Stroebel inspecting work on a scarification project, Calling Lake Crawl Tower location (northeast of Calling Lake, south of Amadou Lake), Calling Lake District, Lac La Biche Forest, 1962 Alberta Government, AFHPC Strip scarification in a deciduous stand, where spruce was planted or seeded along the scarified rows. Sulphur Lake area. Peace River Forest, 1965 Cliff Smith Larry Kennedy, first AFS Silviculture Forester in 1959 Alberta Government, AFHPC UBC forestry graduate from Rocky Mountain House served 13 years before returning to his family ranch. When he arrived, as reported in the 1960-61 Annual Report, the AFS affirmed: "The objective of all cutting methods is to produce, if at all possible, natural regeneration on cutover lands." 3 Scarification was the predominant post-harvest site treatment. Scarification is the mechanical mixing of soils and organic matter after harvesting to create sites that will support natural seeding or planted seedlings. However, Kennedy recognized that successful 1948 - 1965 silviculture, the growing of trees, would involve a lot more than this. Working through and with field foresters he initiated programs for seed collection, set up seed collection zones and records, established seedling trials and improved the nursery operation at Oliver. The increased need for planting by industry and government was met by seedlings grown by the AFS at an expanded Provincial Tree Nursery at Oliver. The AFS also established medium-scale containerized seedling production in Rocky Mountain House, at the Provincial Jail in Peace River, and with a private nursery contractor at Grande Prairie. In 1963 Eric Huestis was promoted to the position of Deputy Minister of Lands and Forests. Robert G. Steele, one of the class of 1949 University of British Columbia forestry graduates recruited by Huestis, became Director of Forestry. Steele had been a leader in forest surveys and initiated the forest management planning process. He also served as Forest Superintendent in the Rocky- Clearwater Forest at Rocky Mountain House before returning to Edmonton. pjne tree & river Artist Lorna Bennett Ranger Pat Foley reviewing forest cover type map in Slave Lake Forest, September, 1959 Cliff Smith Alberta Forest Service lib FLHR l^lSli SI'*- / L^iSi fO fill 5 f^^t,^ ^l^co^i^ c Construction details, typical AFS forestry cabin Alberta Government, AFHPG 1948 - 1965 -1 -)K Hi ___::ir::0::::3tziz.zizi^ a ^d^. Campsite oqret. ZAMA - ! i FORESTP' °r '1± Li WITH 10 Joe lucky' Lieskovsky in the Forestry paint shop where he was responsible for creating and making signs for the department, early 1960s Provincial Arcliives of Alberta, PA2728-1 Forestry Weather Course, Forestry Training School, Hinton, February, 1962 staff were Chief Rangers in their respective Districts. Bacl( Row (L to R): Charles Clark, IVIcMurray; Bill Kostiuk, Edson; Jim Hereford, Grande Prairie; Joe Kirkpatrick, Slave Lake; Art Lambeth, Edson; Del Hereford, Blairmore; Harry Edgecombe, High Level. Front Row: Jack Macnab - FTS (Instructor 2i/c); August Gatzke, Lac La Biche; Bernie Brouwer, Peace River; Dick Mackie, Calgary; Frank Jones, Rocky Mountain House; Ben Shantz, Rocky Mountain House; Peter Murphy - FTS (Instructor i/c). Front Row: Mike Burke, Whitecourt; Ted Boodle, Slave Lake. Missing: Aircraft Dispatchers Pat Donnely and Jack Grant Alberta Government, AFHPC V ^ _ _ Forestry Training School Ranger Class, Hinton, 1962 (L to R): Jack Macnab - FTS (Instructor 2i/c); Joe Burritt, Bow River; Francis Schenk, Grande Prairie; Melvin Tessmer, Rocky Mountain House; Laverne Larson, Slave Lake; Andy Kostiuk, Lac La Biche; Wayne Cole, Slave Lake; Larry Derbyshire, Whitecourt; Wayne Robinson, Grande Prairie; Bill Wuth, Lac La Biche; Lou Blasius, Lac La Biche; Ernie Duchesne, Peace River; Stan Fischer, Peace River; Gordon Japp, Edson; Albert Cauchie, Crowsnest; Peter Klymchuk, Peace River; Herb Walker, Slave Lake; Gordon Matthews, Bow River; Bob Richmond, Edson; Conrad Bello, Clearwater; Larry Kennedy - FTS (Acting Head); Roman Bizon, Whitecourt Alberta Government, AFHPC ( » Basic Ranger Course, Forestry Training School, Hinton, 1963 Back Row (L to R): Frank Nuspel, Leonard Kennedy, Maurice Bolduc, Ken South, Len Westhaver, Mike Dubina, Larry Huberdeau. Front Row: Morris Mitchell, Owen Bolster, Archie Miller, Dave Dodds, John Stepaniuk, Gordon Bossenberry, Lome Goff, Roger Olson, Art Giroux, Ray Dubak, Dave Brown, Al Needham, Harry Sondergard Alberta Government, AFHPC 1948 - 1965 Launch of a forestry tug boat into tlie Clearwater River, Fort IVIclVlurray, Athabasca Forest, mid-1960s. This boat was built in Edmonton and transported by truck to Fort McMurray. Ranger watching could possibly be Lou Babcock, Superintendent Athabasca Forest Alberta Government, AFHPC Rangers John Stepaniuk (L) and Owen Bolster with Instructor Rocky Hales at right. Forestry Training School, Hinton, 1963 Alberta Government, AFHPC Refresher Course, Forestry Training School, Hinton, 1963 Back Row (L to R): John Elliott, Colin Campbell, Gordon Campbell, Ed Beebe, Harry Jeremy, Bert Hadley, Don Dawson. Middle Row: Gerry Stuart, Mike Gagnon, Dick Girardi, Phil Nichols, Des Woodman, Bert Varty, Howard Morigeau, Eric Dawson, George Deans. Front Row: Joe Passamare, Ken Janigo, John Holden, Don Crawford, Hy Baker Alberta Government, AFHPC Forestry tugs and barges were the main mode of transportation for hauling materials and supplies from Fort IVIclVlurray north and south. Photo is the SS Athabascan and two barges on the Clearwater River, Fort McMurray, Athabasca Forest, mid-1960s Neil Gilliat Alberta Forest Service 1948 - 1965 Western Land Directors' meeting, Natural Resources Building (now the Bowker Building), Edmonton, 1963 Back Row (L to R): A. D. (Art) Paul, Alberta Public Lands (field staff); Cyril B. Kenway, Registrar, Alberta Lands and Forests; Nick Kufel, Head, Alberta's Lands Branch Field Staff; S. G. (Bud) Klumph, Grazing Reserve Supervisor, Alberta Lands Branch; and C. E. (Charlie) Paquin, Kufel's assistant (Lands), later to become ADM, Public Lands (1973-1981). Centre Rovir: Vi A. Wood, Alberta's Director of Lands; J. A. (Scotty) Campbell, Alberta's Grazing Appraiser; Gordon M. Smart and R. D. (Reg) Loomis, Alberta Forest Service. Front Row: A. J. LeBlanc, Saskatchewan Lands Branch; A.M. (Art) Thomson, Saskatchewan Director of Lands; J. "Ami" Barr, Manitoba Lands Branch; David Borthwick, B.C. Superintendent of Lands; and R.(Bert) Torrance, B.C. Ass't Deputy Minister of Lands and Forests Provincial Archives of Alberta, PA2751 Refresher Course, Forestry Training School, Hinton, 1964 Back Row (L to R): Bob Lewis, Stan Carlson, Vic Fischer, Ben Abel, Keith Thompson, Johnny Johnson, Oliver Glanfield. Middle Row: Al Walker, Harold Enfield, Ron Lyie, Karl Altschwager, Dave Schenk, Glen Sloan, Wilt (Jock) Kay, Vic Schneidmiller. Front Row: Doug Allen, Ray Hill, Ted Loblaw, Fred Facco, Mike Burke, Bill McPhail. Instructors at Front: Jack Macnab, Peter Murphy Alberta Government, AFHPC Lac La Biche Forest Division Spring Ranger Meeting, 1964 Arsenault Sawmill in High Level, December, 1964. Note Back Row (L to R): Jack Kreutzer (Anzac), Bill Wuth, Ken Kolodychuk (LLB Warehouse), Not grain elevators in picture Identified, Pat Leibel (Fort McMurray), Not Identified, Gary Pollock (LLB Fish & Game), Owen cliff Smith Bolster, Ed Johnson (Fort MacKay), Len Blasius (Wandering River). Middle Row: Len Swatsky (LLB Warehouse), Al Needham (Anzac), Lawrence Johns (Fort McMurray), Not Identified, Ken Olson (Fort McMurray), Stan Olzowka (Fort Chip), Frank Nuspel, Oliver Glanfield (Lac La Biche), Ernie Stroebel (Calling Lake). Front Row: Lawrence Yanik (Fort Chip), August Gatske (LLB Chief Ranger), Jack Williams (LLB Administration), John Booker (LLB Assistant Superintendent), Bert Coast (Superintendent), Bert Varty (Assistant Superintendent), Not Identified, Len Allen (Fort McMurray Chief Ranger), Eric Syles (Fort McKay) Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Basic Ranger Course, Forestry Training School, Hinton, September to November, 1964 Front Row (sitting L to R): Jurgen iVIoll, Keg River; Harold Dunlop, Swan Hills; Gerald Armfelt, Little Red River; Ken Porter, Calling Lake; Ron Sears, Meander River. Middle Row: Ross Purves, Steen River; Mag Steiestol, Grovedale; Barry Nelson, Hines Creek; Ken Kolodychuk, Embarras Portage; Fred Thorn, Salt Prairie; Jack Kreutzer, Anzac; Gordon Baron, Wandering River; Nick Galon, Conklin. Back Row: Ken Gatzke, Slave Lake; Ray Howarth, Lac La Biche; Bill Francis, Spirit River; Sandy Donaldson, Kinuso; Ed Pulleyblank, Fort McKay; Ed Johnson, Slave Lake; Joe Smith, Muskeg Alberta Government, AFHPC Athabasca Forest Spring Ranger Meeting, 1965 Back Row (L to R): Bruno Farro (Boat Cook), Joe Brodoski (Standby Crew), Alvin Scott (Deckhand on Boats), Armando Tedesco (Standby Crew Foreman), Carl Brakstad (Forest Carpenter), Dan Law (Standby Crew), Clift Henderson (1st Athabasca Forester) (hidden). Not Identified, Mickey Patterson (Standby Crew). Front Row: Bert Varty (Assistant Forest Superintendent), Carol Henson (Secretary), Lou Babcock (Forest Superintendent - 1st), Bob Steele (Director of Forestry), Stan Hughes (Chief Timber Inspector), Len Allen (FO III), Jerry Karasinski (Boat Captain) Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Canadian Institute of Forestry liost team meeting, Banff, 1966 (L to R): Bob Steele, AFS Director of Forestry; Peter Murphy, APS Head Training Brancli; Doug Lyons, AFS Forest Survey Branch; Pat Duffy, CFS Soil Scientist, Chair of Host Committee; Mil(e Drinl(water, CFS Program iVIanager, Rocl(y Mountain Section Chair; Iris Steele, Chair Women's events; Stan Hughes, AFS Head Forest Protection; Bob Stevenson, CFS Entomologist; John Hogan, AFS Head Forest Surveys; Phil Thomas, CFS Head Northern Forestry Centre; Ron Fytche, AFS Forest Surveys; Joe Baranyay, CFS Forest Pathologist Phil Debnam, CFS Photographer Ranger John Holden showing homemade snowshoes and birch bark canoe, two important means of conveyance, Wabasca, Slave Lake Forest, 1965 Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Don Lowe changing tire on Nodwell, Eagles Nest area, Edson Forest, c. 1961. Billy Magee, Predator Control Officer and Johnny Bader, Assistant Ranger fixing bait trap for wolves for the rabies control program Don Lowe 1948 - 1965 Sawmill in Salt Prairie District, north of High Prairie, Slave Lake Forest, 1963. A ranger's duties included inspecting sawmills and bush operations to ensure operations met harvesting and utilization standards, wood was sawn to specifications and all operations met fire prevention and control requirements Don Lowe Ranger Phil Nichols (plaid jacket) on mill inspection. Salt Prairie District, Slave Lake Forest, 1963 Don Lowe Alberta Forest Service 1948 - 1965 CHAPTER 5 ookouts and Communications Forester Harvey Reginald Macmillan, who went on to found the successful Macmillan- Bloedel forest company, began his career with the Dominion Forestry Branch (DFB) in 1908. After studying fire problems on the forest reserves in Alberta, he neatly summarized the essence of a fire control system: "The measures adopted to protect the forests from fire are now generally understood. They are the removal by education or legislation adequately enforced of the causes of fires, the organization of a patrol to find and extinguish such fires which will inevitably start, and the improvement and organization of the forest areas so as to render most efficient the efforts of firefighters and to minimize the chances of any fires getting beyond control."^ Given the limitations of prevention, early detection was a priority in the quest to combat forest fires from the beginning of both the DFB and Alberta Forest Service (AFS). Patrols on horseback were initiated even before the Forest Reserves were set up. The intent was first to teach travellers about fire prevention and to fight any fires that came to their attention. There was no early attempt to build lookouts, since there was no way to communicate and report any fires that might be seen. In northern Alberta, detection started out as little more than reporting of a fire by the public to a Fire Ranger, or the discovery, investigation and Goose Mountain Tower (built 1939-40), Slave Lake Forest The stumps are from trees felled to increase visibility for the observer Mel Willis suppression of a fire by the Fire Ranger himself. As a result, only fires along the routes of travel, either horse and wagon trails, rivers and later railways, were reported and actioned. Usually these were human-caused fires. Lightning-caused fires were rarely actioned unless they threatened life or property. The structured detection system thus began its existence along regular routes of travel, punctuated by any high points in the terrain that provided a good view of the surrounding countryside. Ingenious rangers increased their capacity for smoke detection in high incidence areas with the construction of crawl tree' structures, ladder rungs or steps made from poles attached to two trees in close proximity. A lack of communications technology and problems of geographical access posed some serious frustrations for early forest officers. The Annual Report for 1932- 33 stated "In the northern district . . . there is a distinct lack of those improvements or developments so essential to successful forest protection. There are no trails, roads, telephone or telegraph lines built specially to answer the purposes of forest protection and administration. Fire detection except by the old method of patrol is non-existent and equipment is insufficient."2 The "northern district" was described as all those areas outside the Forest Reserves. Eric Huestis described the limitations of detection and initial attack during the 1920s and Alberta Forest Service early 1930s by quoting the words of the timber inspector at Carrot Creek: "I had a team of horses and a democrat buggy. I would get word by CN telegram that there was a fire down at Breton or Winfield. I would hook up the team and away we'd go and four days later I'd arrive. Either the fire was all over hell's half acre or it was out. So then I'd get on the phone or go to the nearest town and phone in and they would tell me there's another fire up near Edson. So I'd head back and the same thing would happen - either it was all over hell's half acre or it was out, depending on trees. Wooden towers made from local logs and rough sawn timber later served the purpose. The first lookouts were initially located close to the ranger station or close to fire trails cut by those who patrolled the districts. They were linked to the ranger station by telephone line, the wires usually strung along the road or trail. It was not until the simple single-wire ground-return telephone became available in the early 1910s that these lookouts were built. Then, over time, high hills or mountain tops in suitable locations and with a good view of frequently-traveled routes, settlements or ranching areas were selected as sites for the towers. A deciding factor in the choice of location was the feasibility of constructing pack trails for construction access, maintenance and regular servicing trips. The ranger was expected to put in considerable effort and time to establish these horse trails. He was also expected to patrol and Trail below summit of Burke Mountain- Cameron Lookout, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1929 Dominion Forestry Brancli, AFHPC conditions. It was a hopeless proposition to do anything as far as fire protection was concerned, with only about a dozen rangers in the whole north country."3 First sites and structures A system of facilities that could be used by observers to detect fire evolved into two kinds of structures - a lookout on a high open point, built on the ground or on short stilts, or a tower designed to place the observer above obstacles to vision. The first constructed lookouts were simple ladder-like structures fastened to two maintain the telephone lines that linked the lookouts to the ranger station. When fire hazards allowed, lookout men also helped to patrol and maintain the telephone lines. John Currat talked about building the first Heart Lake Tower in the early 1940s with fellow ranger Peter Comeau. This was a wintertime project. They were both skilled axemen. After they cleared the site and built a log cabin, they felled four of the best spruce they could find so they could build Good visibility and keen eyesight were essential: Pigeon Lookout, Barrier Mountain. This structure previously was a guard tower at the prisoner of war camp at nearby Barrier Lake, Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station Alberta Government, AFHPC Lookouts and Communications a sixty-foot tower and skidded them up behind a team and sleigh. They hewed them square and tapered the logs to about a five-inch top. John lamented that they were putting up the fourth one when the rope slipped, the log dropped and it broke. So they had to go back down and do it all over again. However, what really pleased him was when they put the side rounds on and got them bolted into place - he said it looked like the Eiffel Tower because of the way the legs swept in to the top. As with all new endeavours, some poor decisions in creating the lookout system had to be corrected. For example the highest mountaintop did not necessarily provide the best visibility as frequent cloud cover or haze could interfere with visibility. Detecting or confirming a smoke by providing a triangulating "cross shot" to pinpoint its location was impossible in such circumstances. As settlements extended into the northern portions of the province, so did the forest rangers. There were high hills in key locations but these were covered with trees, some over 80 feet in height. This prompted the introduction of high steel towers to enable the observer to look over the trees. Initially these sites were chosen by rangers who knew their district and the hills that McLennan Crawl Tower, 1965. This native timber structure enabled the ranger to 'crawl' up for a look around his area Ken McCrae provided maximum visibility. Rangers climbed a lot of trees trying to find which hills provided the best coverage. Once aerial photography became common, contour maps were drawn for proposed sites. From these maps a 'Visible area" around each vantage point was calculated and optimum sites were chosen to provide the most complete detection network possible. Helicopters provided another useful means of choosing and verifying potential sites, especially in the northern forests. Frank Piatt developed an aerial survey process in the 1950s and 1960s. Joe Niederleitner, head of the Planning Section with Forest Protection, later played a key role in checking these sites with helicopters to evaluate and compare visible area mapping with actual on-site inspection. The helicopter hovered 100 feet above the ground to simulate the height of the tower and panoramic photographs were taken in a 360-degree arc. These photos would be checked against the visible area map for errors in coverage calculations and the best of the possible sites in the locality was chosen. ^ A vertical photo was also taken from 10,000 feet. For anyone who had never ridden in a small helicopter such as a Bell 47AJ2 this was a memorable experience. Often the District Ranger, in whose district the proposed new tower was to be built, was taken along. A helicopter ride at tree level was old hat but one at 10,000 feet quickly revealed those with an anxiety for heights. References to the horizon are much more difficult than at lower levels and thus the pilot had to be more alert in keeping the helicopter level. Some said this was akin to balancing oneself atop a flagpole. The visible area of a lookout or tower varied with the terrain but as a standard it was set to encompass an area with a radius of 25 miles. This 50- mile wide circle, encompassing 1,941 sq miles, is only slightly less than the area of the province of Prince Edward Island with 2,184 sq miles. Alberta's lookout network originally called for a lookout Alberta Forest Service Lookouts and Communications spacing of 20 miles in alpine and sub-alpine regions and 40 miles in the northern boreal based on studies by Americans George M. Byram and G.M. Jamieson. Joe Niederleitner outlined in his 1984 Fire Detection Study that the decision made in the late 1970s was to use a 25-mile spacing. The distance of 25 miles was considered the maximum distance an observer could reasonably be expected to spot a fire the size of a campfire with a smoke column rising approximately 100 feet into the air. This of course varied depending upon wind speed dispersing the smoke, colour of the smoke relative to the background and whether sighting with or against the sun. The objective of the lookout network was to have all forest areas covered within 25 miles of at least one lookout. Detection The towers and lookouts spaced throughout the province are known collectively as Alberta's fixed detection assets. All other fire detection systems not permanently attached to one specific site are classed as mobile detection assets. The first mandate of fixed detection was, and still is, the detection and reporting of fires. Only people with good vision were hired. A simple eye test was introduced around 1956 for use during job interviews and training. The test involved a small black dot on one quadrant of a white piece of paper. The paper was spun and after it had stopped spinning, the applicant had to identify the quadrant position of the dot from a certain distance. Failure to do this meant that the candidate was asked to get a proper eye examination and glasses if necessary. Studies in the 1940s and again in the 1960s led to a variety of different tests for lookout personnel. Some tested the ability to spot objects in various light conditions, while others tested the maximum distance that a smoke could be detected. Extensive tests were run using candidates from various backgrounds such as trapping, the military, academia and forestry, with the results showing that having a trained observer was more important than perfect eyesight. The eye exam was eventually phased out. Some observers did indeed have excellent sight. On one occasion a lookout person on the old Battle River Tower site west of Manning reported an intermittent smoke in the late Slave Lake Chief Ranger Len Allen coordinating wildfire resources in Lac La Biche during the May, 1968 fires. Under the column State of Control, O.C. means Out of Control Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service afternoon. The ranger plotted the sighting on the office map and then proceeded to check the smoke out. The lookout person had the bearing and distance right on and after considerable searching and with darkness only an hour away, the ranger sat beside some construction equipment that was working on building the Mackenzie Highway. It was then that he noticed that each time the 'cat skinner" opened the throttle a cloud of diesel smoke billowed out because the diesel injectors of a crawler tractor were slightly out of adjustment. By talking on the radio the ranger could confirm, before the lookout person could see it, when each intermittent puff of smoke would occur. Clyde Ulm set a record in the late 1950s when he spotted a smoke 110 miles from Marten Mountain and located it within a quarter section. Lookouts prided themselves on their knowledge of the country and ability to tell the ranger where the smokes were. Needless to say these were the types of "eyes" the AFS depended upon. Not all first-time observers were suited to the loneliness of a lookout person's life. It was often difficult to determine from an interview who would be susceptible to loneliness and who would enjoy the solitude. One unorthodox method was to look at the hands of the person being interviewed. If the person wore a lot of rings or other jewellery, the thinking at the time was that individual would not last long on a tower - because there'd be no one there to admire the decoration. Trappers were among the best observers. They were accustomed to living alone and they enjoyed the lifestyle. Usually there was just John McQueen sends message on headquarters communication system Alberta Government, AFHPC enough time for them to move off the trapline, sell their furs, then report to the ranger station for the fire season each spring. Trappers often looked out over the very area where they trapped in winter. Their livelihood depended in more ways than one on the quick detection and suppression of forest fires. In recent years this has changed and today artists and writers are often found on lookouts and towers, taking advantage of quiet times to paint, write or study in their chosen disciplines. One of them noted that he learned to play the bagpipes without disturbing a soul. After smoke detection, communication was the second priority of the detection network. In the early days the telephone line was the sole and critical means of communication. Later the telephone was replaced by single side band (SSB) radios, and the monitoring and relaying of messages, especially during times of poor reception, were constant chores for the observer. This duty became much less important as VHP (very high frequency) radios came into use and radio repeater sites were installed. Communication was then relegated to third priority, with weather observation becoming second priority. During the Second World War, lookouts were required to employ a code when submitting their A training session on the Stevenson Screen and weather instruments, 1964. Doug Doerl(son on left Alberta Government, AFHPC Lookouts and Communications Medal given to tower personnel for reporting aircraft movements during the Cold War and Into the ig60s Tim Klein weather readings, lest the information be used by enemy agents. The code was fairly simple, but its use required extra time for the sender and the receiver. Provincial Detection Technician Tim Klein says that during the Second World War, when the Allies were assisting Russia, radio relay sites were set up to monitor and assist aircraft being moved from North America to Russia through Alberta and along the Northwest Staging Route. "Some of our lookouts were used for these purposes. One was Whitecourt, which had a staff of up to five people on a 24-hour basis. I do not have documentation on the duration of this operation, although one would assume that it was only for that period when the aircraft were being moved." Klein says that an agreement was later struck between the federal government and the AFS to involve the lookout observer network in watching for hostile aircraft as part of the RCAF Ground Observer Corps (GObC). The GObC came to prominence with the Cold War in the early 1950s when the threat was that long- range Soviet bombers might head over the polar regions to hit targets in the U.S. "The RCAF supplied our staff with posters and recording pads (type and number of aircraft, heading, etc.) depicting silhouettes of Canadian, U.S. and Soviet bloc aircraf t."^ The idea was that lookout personnel would report all low-flying aircraft heading in a southerly direction (90 to 270 degrees). The AFS and its lookout personnel took the job seriously. GObC instruction became an integral part of the AFS lookout training courses. The RCAF sent their own staff to teach this topic and supplied a movie called "The Dangerous Mile," referring to the mile of atmosphere above the earth through which enemy aircraft might fly to escape radar detection. Ground Observer Corps badges were handed to observers and at the end of the program small GObC medals and certificates were given for services rendered. Ted Blefgen, Director of Forestry, referred in his Annual Report for 1942-43 to several fires starting in remote areas without evidence of lightning or human activity. "The great number of aircraft flying in the northern part of the province was, perhaps, the cause of at least some of the fires fought in the outlying districts. Of nine fires that occurred in the Construction of the Cllne Lookout on the Upper Saskatchewan River west of Nordegg. This was the first time a helicopter was used to haul In all the materials needed. It saved many weeks of packing materials In by horse Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Radio operator Don Hutchins at Whitecourt, late 1940$ Alberta Government, AFHPC Athabaska Valley, north and west of Whitecourt, seven were directly on the route between Edmonton and Fort St. John, British Columbia, and two of these were only a short distance on either side." Blefgen and staff postulated that these might have been started by cigar butts thrown out of the cockpit windows of those propeller-driven planes. The reasoning was that only a cigar butt would be big and heavy enough to stay ignited all the way down and drive through the canopy of trees, and primarily only U.S. military people smoked cigars." ^ With the replacement of the telephone by radio, a power source was needed. At first, cumbersome batteries were used with the aid of wind- powered chargers to help extend battery life. Then, for dependability, gas-driven electrical generators were installed in an engine house at lookouts and towers. This was a boon to the observer as he now also had electrical lighting as opposed to the simple gas lantern. The system, however, was not 110-volt, so Construction of steel tower. Prefabricated cupola to be placed on top Alberta Government, AFHPC electrical appliances could still not be used. The AFS has continued to experiment with both wind and solar power. Among the regular visitors to towers and lookouts were the radio technicians, another vital group within the AFS that tried to ensure the best possible communications. It was an ongoing challenge, given the great distances, topographical variation, the pioneering nature of radio in the early days and the inherent impulse of towermen to try to fix things themselves. Tony Earnshaw was the first radio superintendent. Starting in 1938, he experimented, tested and installed the prototype radios and developed the radio system. In 1962 he transferred to Alberta Government Telephones when AGT assumed responsibility for the system. In the meantime, the technical work and installations were largely done by the radio technicians; people such as Gordon Fowlie who operated Lookout Instructor Course, Forest Technology School, HInton, 1969 Back Row (L to R): Myron Sterr, Harry Freeman, Len Allen, Colin Campbell, Roily Jourdain, Floyd Schamber. Middle Row: Lou Boulet, Tom Stewart, Bert Varty, Jack Naylor, Lee Watson, Len Smith. Front Row: Bruce Byron, Emanuel Doll, Irv Frew, Cliff Henson, Not Identified Alberta Government, AFHPC Lookouts and Communications Luscar Lookout, Edson Forest AFS, late 1940s Alberta Government, AFHPC a tower in 1941 and stayed on as a technician until he retired in 1976. One of Fowlie's first installations was at Heart Lake tower after John Currat and Pete Comeau built it in the mid-1940s. He recalled the long gruelling trip in, part of the way by team and wagon then back-packing to the top of Heart Mountain since the tower had been built in winter with only a sleigh track for access. Then there were the clouds of bugs during the month he was there to cut and raise antenna poles and complete the wiring. He recalled some of the pioneers: Bill Norton and Les Braunberger out of Calgary and Doonie Donovan and Ron Linsdell in Edmonton. ^ For many years all weather information was sent to a central tower in Edmonton at 10322-146 Street, then on the western edge of the city. In 1950-51, the system was changed so that information was sent to Cooking Lake tower, for better reception. From there the information was relayed to Edmonton. These facilities were later dismantled and moved to 120 Avenue and 109 Street, and are now located in the Provincial Forest Fire Centre in Edmonton's downtown Forest Protection Division offices. Lookouts also became important in keeping track of AFS aircraft activities in their observation area. The recording of the time for helicopters' first tower built on stilts by the Blue Hill Lookout on wooden stilts, west of Sundre. Note wiring for lightning diffusion Alberta Government, AFHPC "time up" in the morning and "time down" for the night were noted. Also, field crews in the tower area would use the lookout to relay and receive messages. Training of lookout personnel began in 1956 when Frank Piatt demonstrated the Osborne Firefinder and Doonie Donovan talked about radio and weather. Until then the ranger showed new lookouts the ropes when they packed in at spring opening. However, the ranger often had to hurry back to fight fires or seal beaver so the training was uneven. Starting in 1957, Training Branch staff Peter Murphy and Jack Macnab developed a three-day course that they took to forest headquarters in March. Radio staff Donovan and Ron Linsdell instructed on radio and weather. The spring training was centralized at the Forestry Training School at Hinton in 1960, attracting 71 candidates from all over Alberta including Cypress Hills and Jasper National Park. The Hinton course was decentralized by the mid-1980s and held in local districts. Ten years later the course was extensively revamped and returned to Hinton. Local areas continue to run supplementary courses. The provincial course at Hinton is now mandatory for all new tower staff. Alberta Forest Service Weather Weather observations had long been a regular part of the lookout observer's duties, but correct procedures and accurate recordings grew in importance in the mid-1950s when the Fire Weather Index was developed by the Canadian Forest Service. Recordings were taken at 0730, 1230 and 1830 hours, seven days a week. The noon reading was for fire danger rating, the morning and evening for the climate record. Readings included temperature, relative humidity, maximum and minimum temperatures, wind direction and speed and precipitation. By 1940, some towers had very basic weather instruments. Between 1947 and 1955, more weather equipment was purchased for towers and ranger stations. When the collection of weather data first began, fuel moisture sticks were used. These were a set of four round half-inch diameter wooden dowels connected side by side and adjusted to weigh exactly 3.53 ounces when bone dry. These fuel moisture sticks were mounted on a wire frame about one foot above ground in a shaded area. There they would absorb moisture from the air or else dry out in low humidities. Any weight over 3.53 ounces represented the per cent of fuel moisture - the lower the weight, the dryer the fuels. The ''Stevenson Screen" was a rectangular louvered "house" painted white to provide a shaded, ventilated and protected enclosure in which weather instruments were housed. The federal Meteorological Service supplied most of the weather instruments to support its climatological studies. Some individuals, once the weather observations were calculated and recorded and they were waiting for the weather "Sked" to be called in, just had to be doing something with their hands. There's a humorous story that one of these pastimes would be to "whittle" on the fuel moisture sticks. Needless to say the "whittler" was quickly discovered by the Forest Headquarters' check of the data, prior to forwarding by teletype to Edmonton. A sudden loss of weight indicated one of only two things. Either the relative humidity at the site was very low and all the forest fuel was drying at a very rapid rate or there was a sudden change in the weight of the fuel moisture sticks. Lookout observers learning to weigh fuel moisture sticks Alberta Government, AFHPC Recruits learn about the Osborne firefinder at training school, instructed by Jack Macnab (L), early lOGOs Alberta Government, AFHPC Lookouts and Communications Another story recounted the activities of a "keep it clean" person. This individual was always "sprucing" things up and the fuel moisture stick ended up getting painted. The Forest Headquarters' daily check of the weather data uncovered a sudden increase in the weight (by the added paint) of the fuel moisture sticks. If it was not pouring rain and the "sticks" (and the forest itself) taking on moisture then what was happening? A quick "QSO" (discussion on the radio) occurred for all to hear and learn from (much to the embarrassment of the perpetrator) and a new set of fuel moisture sticks was sent out pronto. In the mountainous regions of the province the siting and construction of many of the early Towers and their cabins can be remote and isolated Alberta Government, AFHPC lookouts required considerable ingenuity and sheer determination on the part of both man and beast. They were required to haul all the building materials to remote and challenging rocky ridges and mountain peaks. The materials list included lumber, windows, doors and other building supplies, not to mention barrels for rain water for cooking and drinking, firewood for heating and cooking and kerosene for lighting. The mountain lookouts were situated at or above the treeline and were cabins approximately 12 feet by 12 feet. Some of these cabins were mounted on short 12-foot legs. Later designs saw 14 foot square cabins and the addition of a square second storey for observation. Later they incorporated the same cupola as is used on steel towers. The cupola is an octagonal structure with windows in the top half of all eight sides. These could be opened from the inside to provide unobstructed visibility, for cleaning or to allow increased air flow on hot days. The majority were made of fibreglass,g though some aluminum cupolas were also installed. During the late 1950s Edmonton Transit was developing fibreglass panels for buses to reduce costs of maintenance and repair. Frank Piatt worked closely with them to successfully apply those techniques to cupola construction, later setting up a full-scale section in the AFS Fire Centre. A crucial piece of equipment in the lookout was and is the Osborne firefinder. This is a sighting instrument mounted on a stand at the centre of the cupola. It is oriented to true north and provides azimuth directions for reporting either wildfires or unauthorized smokes to the Ranger District headquarters. The firefinder aids in identifying the location of permanent points within the visible Sam Fomuk typing reports to submit to headquarters, late igyos Dave Brown Alberta Forest Service area or other pertinent information that may aid the observer in estimating locations and distances when reporting smokes within his or her area of responsibility. Often mirrors were used, from fixed and known landmarks, to provide triangulation in orienting the firefinder to true north. The Annual Report of 1945-46 said: "Osborne firefinders are now standard equipment at all lookout towers, and their use has made fire locating considerably more accurate than before." Lookout observer Sam Fomuk, who retired in 1994 said that before 1945-46; "Firefinders were rather crude - a plastic circle on a pin and a rotary metallic sighting slot on it - the Osbornes were a big advance. I have a note on file that says: 'A few years ago the Kootenai National Forest in Montana rounded up 20 Osborne firefinders in the west and shipped them off to British Honduras as this Central American country was establishing a lookout system. In 1995, neighbouring Nicaragua placed a similar request with the Washington office of the United States Forest Service and the call went out across the nation for more Osborne firefinders to make them happy, too. A commendable international gesture wouldn't you say? The trouble is that the last known supplier of new Osborne firefinders in the world was Forestry Equipment Suppliers of Jackson, Mississippi, and they had dropped them from their catalogue in 1992 after selling their last ones for $3,700.' We should have hidden away a few!"^ The use of a telescopic sight mounted on the firefinder is unique to Alberta and was the brainchild of tower observers Steve Quaranta (Whitecourt) and Jay Sumner (Brazeau). Provincial Detection Technician Tim Klein said the pair started experimenting in 1958 with two types of home-made mounts. "These designs Steve then drew out and submitted to Edmonton. I have drafted drawings by 'A.S.' for the Weaver Scope Attachment for Osborne Firefinder Ring (AFS Edmonton), one type dated August 18, 1959 and the other type November 2, 1959. By the mid- 1960s both had been modified and combined to the present system, although as with any change it took a few years for those upgrades to make it Lookout observer Bob Tough using scope and firefinder to identify location of smoke, IVIoose IVIountain Lool(out, Bow Crow Forest, 1987 Roger Meyer to every tower." The cabin located near the base of the lookout or tower was initially a one-room structure serving as kitchen, bedroom, office and living room. Not only did the individual deal with times of loneliness but also with cramped quarters, especially when confined to the cabin due to inclement weather or fierce mountain-top winds. Collecting and conserving water was a task in itself as the only readily available source was rainwater. Seldom was there a spring or small stream of water close enough to the mountain- top to make it practical to carry water, one or two pails at a time, uphill. In very dry times the ranger would haul a supply of water by packhorse. Bathing was relegated to times of plenty when all the rain barrels were full. The northern towers were slightly more fortunate as a small creek, low area or even a hole dug into nearby muskeg provided more accessible water. Without the modern amenity of refrigeration, food storage was an issue. It demanded the use of dried and canned foods or else digging a "root cellar" in a shaded north-facing hillside for short- term storage of perishables. Before gas-fuelled stoves were supplied at the lookout sites another task of the ranger and/or lookout person was to skid firewood by horse to the site. The trees or logs were then cut into stove-length blocks with a bucksaw, split and stacked. A minimum of one cord (stacked wood measuring four feet wide, four feet high Lookouts and Communications and eight feet long) of firewood was expected to be in place by the time the site was closed at the end of the fire season, ready for the next spring's opening. During the height of the lightning season was no time to be cutting firewood, when the prime purpose of the lookout person's job was the detection of fires. Once again the lookout personnel in the north had a much easier time keeping up with the wood supply as standing timber was closer, or timber cleared for construction of the site was still available. Lightning is the cause of many forest fires, and it also was a cause of anxiety for the observer, whether on a lookout or a tower. Slave Lake lookout Joe Decoigne was seriously injured by lightning on Flat Top Mountain in the 1950s and had to be rescued. The lookout structures were eventually, of necessity, well grounded. At one mountain lookout a first-timer on the job, a keen individual, thought he would do the Forest Service a favour and clean up the site. There was a network of wire and cables laid out around the High cupolas gave good visibility, but also could put tower staff in the thick of the storm Alberta Government, AFHPC building in an attempt to provide a route to earth for the lightning strikes and allow the charge to disperse harmlessly into the surrounding mountainside. In this case the "keener" picked up all the wire and cables and neatly stacked the debris for the ranger to haul out the next time he was up. Needless to say the ranger was fit to be tied over that incident. Lookout person Sam Fomuk recounts an experience from Nose Mountain in mid- July, 1962. "The day began calm and with heavy fog which did not lift at all. After passing my weather report on the noon sked, I turned around to walk out of the radio room. Just then a deafening blast rocked the cabin. I distinctly saw what appeared to be a fireball in front of me and a strong smell of ozone. Apparently directly overhead a thunderhead cloud had been building up for some time, its presence unknown to me. The lightning charge came down the antenna wire, shattering a heavy copper wall switch to fragments, some of which were embedded in the wallboard of the cabin. Outside, the charge came down one of the tower guy cables, blasting out a pail-sized hole in the ground. Most of the transistorized radio equipment, both the government's and my own, was out of commission. There was just an emergency tube-type portable radio left. After improvising an antennae of sorts, I was able to advise HQ what happened. "Now the incredible sequel to the story - next day there was an encore performance. Being somewhat jittery, I exited the radio room in haste after passing the noon weather report, and just in time! The second strike knocked out what radio equipment was still left. Eventually a technician arrived in a helicopter with replacements. So lightning does strike in the same place twice, but when it strikes almost at the same time on two consecutive days, that is a hard act to follow! Over the years we found that transistorized VHF equipment was very susceptible to damage from nearby lightning hits. "There was one instance of a cupola destroyed during a severe night-time storm. In another case, the occupant on my neighbouring tower was knocked unconscious in the cupola for a short Alberta Forest Service time when a powerful charge hit the tower. In another severe case the f iref inder itself became welded to its moorings. 'It's a wonder that we didn't have a few fatalities over the years - because it was so exposed. You can just imagine me hanging back by the table in the radio room on the first blast when all those copper fragments went flying in all directions. A person could have been blinded there easy as nothing. So maybe there is a guardian angel somewhere who was keeping half an eye out on us so-called lookout persons!" The steel tower came into being in the 1920s. The metal structure for the province's second steel tower, erected in 1928, is abandoned but later also installed on mountain-top lookouts. The original invoice for the steel used for the 1952 construction of the Sweathouse tower shows a cost of $1,370 - not bad value considering the tower was not replaced until 2003. The replacement cost for the Sweathouse tower and cabin in 2003 was about $70,000. The observers on the steel towers were warned, with emphasis, to never climb the steel whenever there was an electrical storm within five miles. "If you are down, stay down - if you are up, stay up." One foot on the ground and the other on the first rung of the ladder was definitely not a healthy position to be in with an electrical storm overhead. There are no plumbing facilities in an eight-foot cupola at the top of a 100-foot steel tower. Needless to say there were some anxious times during a long afternoon of constant thunder and lightning activity. Care had to be taken in what materials were used in the construction of the cabin and other outbuildings on the site. At Keg Tower (and others) a peak rabbit Fairchild aircraft (1928) were commonly used on northern Alberta fire patrols; some were based at Cooking Lake near Edmonton Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC still at Ministik Bird Sanctuary southeast of Edmonton. Steel towers ranged from 20 feet (Blue Hill) to 120 feet (Puskwaskau, Berland) in height, depending upon the site and the height of the surrounding timber. Two companies, Ajax Engineering and Manitoba Bridge and Steel supplied most of the tower steel used in construction. Ajax supplied the blueprints for the first wooden octagonal cupola that saw service on many towers from 1938 until replaced by one of the fibreglass designs in the 1960s. The cupola was mounted at the top of the steel structure with the firefinder at its centre. These cupolas were Air patrol from High River flies fire detection route along the Rockies, 1921. Flights were at 13,000 feet mostly in open cockpits Dominion Forestry Branch, AFHPC population occurred one winter. The siding used on the buildings looked nice and was durable as far as the elements were concerned, but it was no match for the rabbits. Some type of preservative used in the treatment of the siding had a special attraction for the rabbits and in the spring when Lookouts and Communications opening the tower for the start of the fire season, staff found the first three boards of the siding were chewed off. Only the protruding nails were left behind. It was a good indication of how deep the snow had been around the cabin. A fast repair job was needed before the driving rain would leak in and rot the base of the cabin walls. The once-monthly servicing of the towers was looked forward to, particularly by the lookout personnel. For the first hour one had only to nod one's head in agreement until the observer had "talked himself out." After an hour or so things would get back to normal and a good conversation would be had, with both parties brought up to date on happenings of the past month. If the lookout person was a trapper it was expected one would sit down and enjoy some rabbit stew with him. It was sheer entertainment if the ranger brought along a new assistant ranger for orientation, especially if he was 'city raised." Originally the towers were manned for the fire season from April 1 to October 31. Then in the 1990s, the records of all lookouts and towers in the province were evaluated, and an appropriate "manning" season was set for each site. The length of time for each site varied depending upon whether the visible area was a total green (forested) area or overlooked settlements and other sources of man-caused fires Priorities also played a deciding role. This made good sense as lightning season did not normally start until June and this meant the months of April and May could be uneventful, especially if no weather observations were taken until "snow gone" had occurred. Originally only men were employed, but as time went by women started to make their Meteorologist Wilbur Sly (C) discusses the 'convective index' with tower staff Ike Doerkson (L) and Sam Fomuk Alberta Government, AFHPC appearance. Safety and security was always important but with women living alone on a remote site additional concerns arose. In one instance the ranger had set up a code for security known only to the two of them. This paid off when an individual of doubtful character arrived in the middle of the afternoon causing some anxiety for the female observer. She feigned having to send a report that was expected, and sent a "coded" weather report. In less than 20 minutes the ranger was on site and the situation resolved without incident. Mobile Detection The mobile detection system, particularly the use of fixed-wing aircraft, was intended to supplement the fixed detection program by providing designated patrol routes that covered the blind areas not visible from lookouts and towers. These were primarily river valleys that were in the "blind" portion or areas beyond the 25-mile radius of one or more towers. Extra attention was also given to areas that were getting into the high and extreme categories of fire danger. Fixed-wing aircraft owned by the AFS were often used to patrol the forests, but private contracts for fire patrol and casual hire also formed a part of the aerial detection force. In more recent times "loaded" patrols (helicopters with highly trained seasonal firefighters on board) were used to follow lightning storms, looking for fire starts from these strikes and attacking them within minutes, thus keeping the fires small in the majority of instances. The Observers Many devoted and talented people have been associated with the lookout operations Alberta Forest Service of the AFS, and more than a few have service records dating back 20 years or more. In southern areas, many were cowboys and wranglers from neighbouring ranches. Others were "upstart" ranger hopefuls interested in the outdoors and forestry work. All of the early lookout people learned on the job, but after 1960 the training was delivered through the Forest Technology School in Hinton. Many lookout people worked their way up through the ranks to become rangers and foresters. Some, like Sam Fomuk, have become legends in the AFS. An article written by Jeff Henricks, Forest Protection Technician at Fort Vermilion in August, 1994, said Sam's family moved to Canada from the Ukraine in 1932, settling on a homestead in the Lac La Biche area. ''He started with the Alberta Forest Service on April 19, 1945, working the Brazeau Tower for a wage of $3.50/day.'\o Fomuk retired in 1994 after 49 years of paid service, plus four or five weeks of voluntary work in his 50th year when he returned to clean up his cabin. Fomuk was instrumental in helping develop lookout operations and offering valuable hands-on help to ensure advances in radio and electronics were adapted to Alberta conditions. The lookout observer and his lonely perch Alberta Government, AFHPC Typical construction and layout of tower and cabin Alberta Government, AFHPC Staff members have many stories to tell about encounters with wildlife. Lookout personnel are 'on their own" and must be vigilant. Wildlife, especially bears, were often present. The smells of garbage, food and cooking were great attractions for these animals. Many sites included excellent blueberry or raspberry patches in the late summer or early fall. On one occasion the lookout person at Chinchaga was cooking supper on a hot summer evening. The windows were open to allow some airflow. Hearing a noise in the radio room the man, cast- iron frying pan in hand, looked over to see a young black bear with its head coming through the window. A stiff crack with the frying pan over the head of the bear resolved that incident. Observers quickly learned never to climb the tower while leaving the cabin door open and the rifle inside the cabin. A rifle shot from the tower was often all that was required to scare off a bear, especially if the garbage pit was kept clean by burning and liberal doses of lime were used on the remaining waste. On another occasion at the old Naylor Hills Tower, since torn down and relocated to the Kimiwan Tower site, Frank Vogel, of German ancestry, met a bear just outside his cabin door. Startled, his first reaction was to holler at the bear in German. The bear immediately ran off. On reciting the story later he said the bear was a good one - it understood German. Other situations involved lookout personnel running low on "grub." When Sam Fomuk was at Nose Mountain Tower in 1951, a very remote Lookouts and Communications location south of Grande Prairie, the autumn supply pack outfit couldn't reach him. He was almost out of food. He took the opportunity to correct this when, he says, "one day a young bull moose visited the lookout site. One shot from my 35 Remington at 50 yards hit the chest area and the animal wandered 75 yards and dropped dead." Sam recalls that with local huckleberries and his remaining rice he managed nicely until the first snow, when he closed the tower and met the district ranger for the horse trip back to Grovedale. During part of Sam's career he assisted with the task of recruiting new lookout staff. Much of the turnover resulted from marriage and family demands. "When observers married they found very few of their wives were able to put up with the remote lookout life, so they usually left," he told interviewer Peter Murphy. "What determined the end of a married lookout's service was when their first kid had to start attending school. In Ike's case (Ike Doerkson from Grande Prairie, on Economy Creek Tower) his wife Portable radios helped the ranger coordinate fireflghting tactics Alberta Government, AFHPC started approaching school age and then they were gone. They either took some assignment in town or just left the Service. "Those were the days when anybody that wanted to stay on, stayed. So after a year's probation I got on the permanent staff and of course on a tower we were expected to work, if conditions required, from sun up until after sundown. Even when helicopters came around they could legally fly only until close to sundown, so you had to stick around until they were down. It could mean a long, long day in those days. If it was so foggy you couldn't see to the end of your yard or a couple days of pouring rain, there was no point in going into the "dog house" [cupola], so you had to look at it philosophically. Sometimes you really had a long hard day and other days as long as you sent those weather reports and checked in a couple times a day there was nobody breathing down your neck or giving a damn what you were doing. "You could read. Or you could 'press blankets.' That was a comical catch phrase in the Service. In the early times, we had to keep a little diary - a Ranger's Diary. There were spaces to enter how many miles you travelled today by horse, by speeder, by railway, etc. Not many of those were options for the tower staff. So, on these so-called easy days what could you put down? Maybe you did some catch-up reading, maybe had a darn nice snooze after noon, etc. So just as a gag we entered, aside from routine knew enough about it to at least teach or supervise the first couple seasons of a child's training via correspondence course. Some parents couldn't be bothered with that or they didn't have enough skills themselves. Usually you could bank on it. A married man lasted on a tower only until the first child Early photo of Isolated Baseline Lookout, Clearwater Forest, 1928 Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service duties, 'pressing blankets/ Eventually we got a circular memo: 'Henceforth, lookout men shall not use the entry of pressing blankets/ It wasn't that lookout staff were shirking their jobs, but if you couldn't see as far as your engine house or it was raining cats and dogs all day long or maybe a couple days in succession, what extra-curricular activities could you put down? "Lookout staff had to be available on the job every day during the fire season, requiring them to work on weekends and holidays. They were not paid extra for these days. It was 20 years before they received an allowance for the extra days. They could then get cash for extra days worked at time- and-a-half or could take time off in lieu at the end of the season. Then it was agreed that permanent observers should also have an extra week for annual leave - which was subsequently extended to three and then four weeks for long service. If the accumulated working days were added to vacation time they would support a long break in the season during the winter." On one occasion the observer went for a walk in the evening and was never heard of again. The story about Ben Knutson remains a mystery. Despite the railway lines up the Coal Branch, as well as towns, mining and logging activity, this area was still remote. Access to the Grave Flats Lookout, located east of Mountain Park and overlooking the Cardinal River valley, was by pack horse trail. On August 31, 1946, experienced lookout observer Ben Knutson did not respond on the scheduled daily morning round of calls among lookouts and ranger stations. As Ranger Angus Crawford's daughter Doris Gosney recalled: Berland Tower 110-foot single pylon construction, 1988 Alberta Government, AFHPC when Ben Knutson went missing. They went up to the lookout to check things out. Ben wasn't there, both dogs and their packs were gone and his rifle, so Dad assumed he had gone hunting. Dad went on into Mountain Park and when he still couldn't contact Ben he notified headquarters at Edson that Ben was missing. This was August 31, 1946. A search party of about 30 volunteers from Mountain Park including myself took part in a Labour Day search but nothing was found. "Some time shortly after, on another trip back to Mountain Park from Grave Flats, Dad's assistant whom Doris' brother Don thinks was Evert Stanley, went up to the lookout and Dad and Don took the bottom trail. [Ben's] dog Paddy was at the lookout and still had his pack on. They took the dog on another search hoping he would lead them to Ben, but no luck again. About a month later the second dog, Blackie, showed up at the Red Cap cabin. His hair was worn off and his stomach was all raw from the pack he had been carrying. Dad kept this dog and used him in the dog team."^^ There was great speculation as to what happened to Ben Knutson. His bed was apparently found made-up for the day and beans were soaking in a pot, which indicates he planned to return. The search lasted for over a month before it was called off. No trace of Ben has yet been found. Chuck Rattliff, a forest management forester at Grande Prairie, added more stories in interviews. "One time Foggy Tower was trying to get hold of Sam Fomuk. Foggy is located 60 or 80 miles north of where Sam was at the time in "Dad was at Grave Flats with my sister Glad Wadlin Tower. They couldn't get hold of him Lookouts and Communications on the regular FM radio system, but there was a smoke near Foggy Tower and they wanted to get a cross shot from Sam. So finally we got hold of Sam on the VHF system from headquarters and said, 'Sam, Foggy thinks he sees a smoke near your tower. Do you have anything that you see there?' He said, 'The engine house is on fire.' That was why his FM radio wasn't working. "There's another story about a tower just north-west of Hinton (Athabasca Tower). I don't remember the lookout person's name but the superintendent at the time was Hank Ryhanen. It was a Sunday morning when Hank and his wife went for a drive and visited the tower. The cabin door was open. They couldn't see the lookout person anywhere but they did see a grizzly bear that took off out of the yard. The observer had gone out to the toilet first thing in the morning without a stitch of clothing on. By the time he was ready to go back to the cabin, the grizzly was out there. He couldn't get back to the cabin so he stayed in the toilet until Ryhanen came along - and even then he couldn't come out because of his nakedness!"^2 In 2005, lookouts formed an observation network over most of Alberta's forest landscape. It is the biggest such network in Canada and probably the world - the largest such system in the U.S., with 95 towers, is in Wisconsin. With 129 active locations providing vital lookout coverage, the Alberta network affords prompt reports of smoke for quick response by initial attack crews. Sophisticated technology continues to enhance their effectiveness and ensure their place in modern forest firefighting, but lookouts still depend upon people. Living and working conditions along with better salaries have helped make the isolated duties more pleasant, and for many people, there is still the allure of isolation in the wilderness. Editor's note: Thanks to Tim and Hope Klein, who helped ensure the accuracy of information in this chapter. All photos on the following pages, unless othenoise identified, are from the Dominion Forestry Branch or AFS, and in the possession of the Alberta Forest History Photo Collection (AFHPC). Flat Top Tower construction, raising 20 foot ladder section, Slave Lake Forest Alberta Forest Service Radio Superintendent Tony Earnsliaw at IVIoose Mountain Lool(out, mid-1950s Lookouts and Communications Alberta Forest Service Cupola exchange on Pass Creek Tower, 2004, Whitecourt Forest Lookouts and Communications Moose Mountain Lookout, Bow River Forest, Roclcy Mountains Forest Reserve, August 29, 1932. Dexter Cliampion, who spent three and a half seasons as lool(outman on Moose Mountain, said that in dangerously dry weather he had been as long as two months without leaving, and had gone 26 days without seeing a living soul. Champion married Miss Louise Clarke and took his bride to the cabin on the peak for several months' honeymoon Jay Champion photo; Calgary Herald 1937 article Cupola exchange completed by A-Star helicopter at Pinto Tower, Grande Prairie Forest, 1997 Tim Klein Radio Technician Ron Linsdell standing in front of Lovett Lookout, Athabasca Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1939. Ron Linsdell began with the Alberta Forest Service in 1939 and retired after 35 years of service, the last 12 with Alberta Government Telephones Ron Linsdell Ranger Harold Parnell and Radio Technician Ron Linsdell at Lovett Lookout, Athabasca Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1939 Ron Linsdell Lookoutman Dexter Champion hiking up to Moose Mountain Lookout, Bow River Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, May, 1934 Jay Champion Alberta Forest Service Lookouts and Communications Whitecourt Tower and cabin, Bill Norton towerman, Whitecourt Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, early 1940s Ron Linsdell Alberta Forest Service Towerman Al Schultz launching a weather Lovett Lookout, Athabasca Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1942 balloon at Whitecourt Tower, Whitecourt Ron unsdeii Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1940s Ron Linsdell Goose Mountain Tower ready for radios and operation. Norm Smith first Nearing completion of construction on the Goose towerman. Slave Lake Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1941 Mountain Tower, Slave Lake Division, Northern Alberta Ron Linsdell Forest District, April, 1941 Lookouts and Communications Alberta Forest Service Athabasca Lookout, shed and radio mast (wooden pole and guy wires), Athabasca Forest, Roclcy Mountains ruicol ncocivc, IVIdy, 194^. ricU ncllUIIOKoUll Wdo lUUKUUl UUoclVcl Ron Linsdell ^^^^ Buck Mountain Tower with cabin and shed, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1942 Ron Linsdell (L to R): Don Bruce (first went to Buck Mountain at 16 years of age), Not Identified and local farmer Mr. McKenzie, Buck Mountain Tower, Clearwater Forest, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve, 1944 Ron Linsdell Towerman Don Bruce (lead) and Radio Technician Ron Linsdell (on white horse to right) taking pack train to Goose Mountain Tower from the High Prairie Ranger Station, Slave Lake Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1940s Ron Linsdell Lookouts and Communications Alberta Forest Service Lookouts and Communications Construction of the Lenarthur Tower using wincties fastened to standing trees to raise tlie 70 foot poles into standing position, Lac La Biche Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1946 Gunner Brauti Fording Pinto Creek on return trip from Pinto Tower, Grande Prairie Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1949 Ron Linsdell Lenarthur Tower - wooden crawl tower on Northern Alberta Railway near Anzac. Access was by rail or along the railway right-of-way ifDH Transporting tower construction supplies to Lenarthur Tower along the Northern Alberta Railway, near Anzac, Lac La Biche Division, Northern Alberta Forest District, 1946 Gunner Brauti Snuff Mountain Tower construction, Grande Prairie Division, 1953. Ted Hammer on top of cupola, Neil Gilliat one of people climbing up ladder Neil Gilliat Alberta Forest Service Snuff Mountain Tower, Grande Prairie Division, early 1950s (L to R): Ranger George Sebastian (Valleyview), Timber Inspector Ted Hammer (Grande Prairie), IVIary Sebastian (cool<), Assistant Inspector Campbell, Ranger Jacl( Grant (Debolt), Ranger Neil Gilliat (Hythe), Ranger Hauling supplies to Cowpar Tower, north of Lac La Biche, Lac La Biche Norseman aircraft helped freight supplies to northern Division, ISSOs observers, 1951 Tim Klein 1 Lookouts and Communications Radio Operator Joe Wuetherick in tlie Radio Room, top floor of the Natural Resources Building (now the Bowker Building), c. 1955. In front of Joe is a bank of teletype machines - the technological advance of the day. Other radio operators at the time were Helen Ledingham, Doonie Donovan and Ron Linsdell Provincial Archives of Alberta, PA2793-1 The original Rocky Mountain House Tower was located at the top end of the Main street, Rocky Mountain House. It was across from the Hotel and next to the Imperial Bank. Ben Shantz and Neil Gilliat took it down in 1959. The Idea was to move it to a new location north of town; however, the steel was so twisted out of shape it could not be used again. This tower had been a landmark in Rocky Mountain House for 30 years Neil Gilliat Lookouts and Communications 153 Alberta Forest Service Pass Creek towerman Knut Hansen (L) and pilot Paul Kristapovich, Whitecourt Division, September, 1965 Vere Pare Road problems while opening Goose Mountain Tower, Slave Lake Forest, April 28, 1971 Jamie McQuarrie Lookouts and Communications Alberta Forest Service Advanced Communications Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, March 5-9, 1973. This course was designed for lookout observers and radio communications personnel Back Row (L to R): Larry Huberdeau, Doug Doerkson, George Schultz, Jerome Marsh, Len Smith, Gary Pulleyblank, Steve Quaranta. Third Row: Clyde Ulm, John McKinney, Gerald Bursey, Bill Norton, Paul Campbell, Martin Johnson. Second Row: Bob Sheets, Ken Cheesman, Dooney Donovan, Len Larson, John Morrison. Front Row: Harry Edgecombe (Instructor), Bob Thomas, Gordon McDonald, Roy Mitchell, Dennis Mah, Lee Watson Fire Detection Officers Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, March 19-23, 1973 Back Row (L to R): Pat Hendrigan, Egan Isaksson, Floyd Schamber. Third Row: Martin Johnson, Ike Doerkson, Paul Campbell. Second Row: Bob Thomas, Myron Sterr, Jay Sumner, Tony Stuart, Jim Sartorious. Front Row: Chuck Rattliff (Instructor), Nick Paulovits, Bruce Bryan, Cliff Anderson, R.A. Mitchell, John Morrison (Instructor) Lookout Observer course, May, 1976 Forest Technology School, Hinton Lookout Observer course #1 April, 1981, Forest Technology School, Hinton Lookout Observer course #2 April, 1981, Forest Technology School, Hinton Lookouts and Communications Alberta government Bell 222 C-GFSI slinging tower section to workers building single pylon tower, 1980s Alberta government Bell 222 C-GFSI hovering with tower section while workers bolt the sections together, 1980s Darryl Johnson, Forest Protection Technician, climbing down outside Pass Creek Tower checking tightness of bolts on tower legs and cross pieces. Generally a crew of four to five Forest Officers would work on the tower. Fox Creek District, Whitecourt Forest, 1991 Alberta government pilot Roger Tessler (L) and Mike Dubina completing a lookout heli- pad inspection at Torrens Lookout, Grande Prairie Forest, 1991 One of the luxuries of a lookout observer - a bathtub! Algar Tower, Athabasca Forest, 1985 Alberta Forest Service Lookouts and Communications RE^l^^RATlON OF A TRAP-LINE APPUCATION FOR To the -..s™.!, EdmonlM'' Name of Applicant J , ^ Age wn on years ;^A^LLJM..^ ^-^f 5 British Subiect: Yes^^ Occupation ' Ko. of years applicant has trapped line ' ^ ^ or, Size of Area J...r..A Length of trap-lme ^ Identification mark on traps U ^ /j ^3. iM^^^ ' signs on trap-line particulars as to blazes or Description „t Route followed by Trap-line or Boundaries of Area ci^^^ /3. <*''■■"'-■ ""'^5'^^ Dated this ^ -'vil^ Signature of Applicant ■ ■} . - f «OTE^.e.ch of txap-line «u.t accompany this application. Form 390 or Game Officer) Alberta. (Over) Auger trapline application, 1952 Alberta Government documents Alberta Forest Service ^ K1 «F«TA— "THE GAME XCT" PROVINCE OF ALBERTA— „PUCAT.ON FOE .EGISTRATION Of A TRtf UNE accompanying sketch: ^ ^ „../:.. ^i-^ ■ ^^'^ ^ „.n>e ot Appucan.4.' ■ - ^^^ ^^ ^ P.O. A^aress CAl-l-^ A^^^' ' y X^^.^y^^A-S ^ Occupation / - ' ^ British subject: Yes^i-.^- - -^ ' ^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^ Ungtholresidence in Alberta . . p...:/ Ungth ol trap-line .'.M^,/^-^-, £ Identification mark on traps • - • — ^ ^. , particulars as to biazes or Signs on traP-Une .^ ^^.tion o. Boute .oUowea bv Trap-Une or B^- o. Area ^ ^ r ^;^- ^^^^^ ^ ,/ //S. /..J^-.X^./ I>ateathi,.a.7 aayo,.,X^£--..l«&- Signature of Applicant „OTE_Sk.td> o. «.P-Un. must .c»»P«.T a>U application. Form 390 "(To be fiUed in by Forestry. at "/'or Game Officer) ... yr^^l: - - Alberta. (Over) Cardinal trapline registration, 1950. Form signed by Bill McPherson, Ranger at Calling Lake Alberta Government documents Lookouts and Communications CHAPTER 6 1^66 - 1984 The years preceding this period saw completion of the first forest inventory, creation of a silviculture unit within the Alberta Forest Service (AFS) to support seed collection, site preparation and planting, and the development of a sustained yield policy based on long-term tenure within agreements for sustainable forest management. These developments set the stage for a new era of forest management in Alberta. The Quota System The experience of having the pulp industry participate in forest management via the Forest Management Agreement (FMA) was a success. The first FMA at Hinton was well underway with its state-of- the-art planning and reforestation programs, and another possible agreement at Grande Prairie was being discussed in the late 1960s. As a result, head of forest management Reginald Loomis decided to work with the Alberta Forest Products Association to explore the possibilities of extending the participatory concept to the lumber industry. Different mechanisms and divisions of responsibility were applicable to this sector, so a somewhat different form of tenure was devised. What emerged in 1966 was the Timber Quota System. The Quota System had its roots in the sustained yield policy, balancing harvests with forest growth and ensuring that Reg Loomis in retirement Alberta Government, AFHPC Staff attending Forest Management meeting in Peace River, mid-1960s. In tills photo tliey are at Footner Airstrip on a side trip to lool< at tlie new administrative Forest being established at Footner Lake (L to R): Don Bunbury, Bob Gray (at back), Charlie Jackson, Not Identified (Hidden), Mike Lalor, Alt Longworth, Reg Loomis (holding coat). Not Identified (Hidden), Not Identified (Hidden), Not Identified (Hidden), Ray Smuland (dark glasses), Lou Babcock (uniform and tie), Les Harding (in back in plaid), Larry Gauthier (buttoned up dress coat). Rein Krause, Con Dermott, Hank Ryhanen. Edo Nyland is in the door of the DCS Alberta Government, AFHPC Cruising timber in the Athabasca Forest, 1967 (L to R): Peter Nortcliffe, Cliff Henderson, Dale Huberdeau, Ted Cofer and Larry McKechern Don Lalonde all harvested areas were reforested. This was supported by the forest industry's strong desire to obtain a stable, long-term timber supply. This stability enabled industry to invest in permanent wood processing facilities (primarily sawmills), and contribute to economic and community development. The system, which continues today, allows a company to harvest a share of the annual allowable cut (AAC) in a forest management unit, in return for payment of dues and completion of regeneration. The company has to comply with the Forests Act and the provincial operating ground rules. Like the Forest Management Agreements, holders of timber quotas were made 162 Alberta Forest Service Timber Management cruising party, worlcing mainly in tlie High Level area, 1974. Many of these individuals faced the waters of F8 (wettest FMU in Alberta) on a daily basis for six weeks, where their pants were literally eaten away by the acidic waters Back Row (L to R): Margarete Hee, Harry Archibald, Maurice Freehill, Jim Steele, Deb Pelchat, John MacGarva, Randy Panko, Gord Cook, Hugh Boyd, Dale Gobin, Bill Chadderington (47J helicopter pilot). Front Row: Steve Harrison, Mike Cassidy, Kevin Freehill (Asst Party Chief), Mel White, Paul Folkmann, Buck Dryer, Cordy Nordal. Missing: Henry Desjarlais, Party Chief; John Best, T/M Technician and Rick Keller, Forester Margarete Hee full partners in the business of sustained yield forest management. The initial volume and growth estimates were based on the first broad forest inventory called Phase I which was started in 1949 and completed in 1956. This inventory served as the information base for forest management planning. It included all publicly- owned forestlands in Alberta except Indian Reserves, National Parks and the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve. The inventory area was divided into zones, each with different growth conditions, species and elevation. Timber volume tables, by cover type, were developed for each zone. The Phase I inventory was used for defining lands suitable for agriculture, to determine allowable timber harvest levels, and to plan forest protection and timber and industrial developments. A more detailed forest inventory, named Phase II, was started in 1956 and completed in 1966. It included areas not covered by Phase I, particularly those areas with timber suitable for manufacture of lumber. The data were also used for AAC calculations for Forest Management Units where timber quotas were to be issued. Detailed information collected through the Phase II inventory included species composition, stand density, stand height, site class and stand age. Minimum stand size identified was 16 hectares, compared to 65 hectares under Phase I. Between 1965 and 1967 the detailed Phase II forest inventory was augmented by a major ground-truthing project called the Quota Reconnaissance Survey. This survey was used to increase the accuracy of the forest inventory and to identify areas for new Quotas, and for Quota planning. The field work was organized through each of the Forests, using AFS staff and hired crews. By this time helicopters were also available to move crews around, so productivity was high. Typically a two-member team was set down in a sampling location in the morning and picked up at a different spot in the afternoon, after a rigorous day of measuring and walking through the bush. Members of these "cruising" teams had their share of encounters with bears. Chuck Rattliff, a timber management Howard Gray (L) and Gordon Bisgrove marking class assignments during a Division Level Fire Suppression course. Forest Technology School, Hinton, igSOs Terry Van Nest Lou Boulet (front) and Don Law working on an overhead team exercise, Division Level Fire Suppression Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, ISSOs Terry Van Nest 1966 - 1984 forester stationed at Grande Prairie, recounts the following story: "Bears were quite rambunctious once in a while, and put the occasional cruiser up a tree. One fellow who worked in Peace River had his boots pulled off and his legs torn up by a bear chasing him up a tree. I think it happened to him twice. We worked alone with no rifle so we were taking a mighty risk and we had a few close shaves with the bears. "Otto Barrett was a timber cruiser who worked for me. We went up to House Mountain and were going to let Otto out on an open ridge, but two or three grizzly bears were standing there that morning. So nobody was getting out at that location. So we took Otto down into the valley and let him out, saying we would pick him up at a wellsite that evening. It was in the spring and very dry and the grass was tall and dry. Otto always carried a big roll of wax paper and kitchen matches. His plan was to start a fire if a bear threatened him. Otto came out on this wellsite about 3 pm ready to be picked up. There was a grizzly bear sleeping in the tall grass on the site. Otto walked over to the tall grass and all of a sudden there is this grizzly bear. The grizzly didn't know he was there but Otto got so excited he screamed. The bear jumped up and down and started to roar and Otto got excited and set the grass on fire. The blaze chased the bear off, but we spent the rest of the evening fighting the fire."^ The Phase II inventory was considerably more detailed than the first broad-scale inventory. Both were focused primarily on coniferous forest stands so the information on deciduous trees was much less detailed. This limited the value of the inventory for industry's emerging interest in poplar species, although it did get the Quota Small sawmill and beehive burner Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Gary Mandrusiak inspects lumber in mill yard, mid-1970s Alberta Government, AFHPC system off to a good start. The Quota system proved to be a catalyst for industry's investment in larger, more efficient mills. It also resulted in the design of more rational road systems, and greatly expanded silviculture and reforestation activities. Between 1966 and 1976, for example, the number of seedlings planted by the AFS and the forest industry ballooned from 490,000 to 7.3 million a year and, by 1984, had expanded further to 17.1 million a year. Under the Quota system, 220 Timber Quota Certificates were issued in 1966 for an AAC of 439.7 million board feet. A board foot is the amount of wood in an unfinished board measuring 12 inches by 12 inches, and one inch thick. The 439.7 million fbm (foot board measure) is equivalent to one million m^ in present-day terms. Of the 220 certificates, 185 were granted and 35 were sold through auction. Additional quotas for 29 million board feet were made Alberta Forest Service Forester Cliff Smith in the Fox Creek area, 1970 Cliff Smith available for sale "at such time as the lumbering industry has consolidated operations in the existing quotas. While the Quota certificates established the timber industry's right to a long-term (20 years) timber supply, they did not actually authorize logging. Logging authority was conveyed through the issuance of timber licences that generally provided the licensee with the quota volume for about five years. The actual volume harvested was compared with the volume authorized by the Quota certificate every five years, which became known as the Quota Quadrant period. Both under-production and over-production were discouraged by the government in order to achieve 'even-flow" harvests over multiple years. Under the Quota system, the holder of the certificate was responsible for reforestation of the logged areas. Holders could complete the reforestation work themselves or transfer the work to the AFS through payment of a reforestation levy. Initially, all Quota holders could transfer the reforestation work to the AFS. Later on, and up to the early 1990s, only the small Quota holders could do this, while medium and large Quota holders had to do the work, generally at their own cost - with the AFS providing free tree seedlings for planting programs. Another significant element of the Quota system was an appraised rate of dues to replace the previous competitive bidding rates for sawmill timber. This meant the value of timber was now set by formula rather than by actual auctions and sales. Base rates were based on studies of actual costs and returns and then adjusted according to timber quality and accessibility in the various regions. Four factors were used in the timber appraisal - cull volume, average tree size, gross volume per acre and haul distance. Companies paid dues according to the amount of timber they reported that was brought out of the bush. This amount was calculated on measurement of the diameters and lengths of logs (a process known as scaling, from which board-foot or cordwood volumes were determined) or else on the end product of manufacture. In 1979 Alberta began to conduct timber scaling to metric standards and compiled scaled volumes in cubic metres. In those situations where dues were previously assessed on the manufactured foot-board measure (fbm) product volume, the fbm product volume was now converted back to the cubic metre roundwood volume deemed to have been used to produce the product. Scalers, both from AFS and industry, had to pass a rigorous examination to qualify for their licence. By 1966, about 20 per cent of the wood was being scaled by weight. This procedure used average conversion data and was much faster. Today, volumes (in cubic metres) are mostly determined by conversion from weight. Timber Permits The Permit Program was one more tier of timber allocation for short-term cutting rights, typically only for one year, and for small volumes. Permits were initially issued for quick salvage of dead or damaged timber or timber that would otherwise be cleared, for example, for roads or pipelines. They were occasionally used to provide short-term winter employment to individuals Lumberman IVIerrill Muttart (L) and Minister Norman Willmore sign Tree Farm Licence Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 along the forest-settlement border areas. The AFS managed the permit program and carried out all reforestation with funds collected from the permittees through their reforestation levies. Today, three more-specific types of permit are used: Commercial Timber Permit (CTP), Deciduous Timber Permit (DTP) and Local Timber Permit (LTP). LTPs can be issued directly to applicants or by draw if demand exceeds supply. A unique allocation was initiated about 1955. This was the Tree Farm Licence in the Cold Creek-Nojack area. It was issued to long-time lumberman Merrill Muttart. As Eric Huestis recounted, Muttart told him that forestry had been good for him as a businessman and he wanted to give something back. His vision was to set up a tree farm that was open to the public. This project would show sustained yield forest management and small- scale manufacturing of forest products. They negotiated an area around Nojack and Muttart invested in roads, buildings and a small sawmill. He hired forester Herman Oosterhuis to run the operation. The tree farm lasted two or three years until Muttart passed away. The tree farm reverted to the AFS, and the other assets were sold. The Muttart family later shifted its focus to support the Muttart Conservatory in Edmonton, among other initiatives. The 1960s also saw development of electronic data processing through the use of punch-cards and the beginning of the application of main-frame computers. The systems were used to track harvest and planting information required by regulation. Data to support growth-and-yield and timber supply were also transferred to computer programs, but the personal computer had not yet arrived. Peace River Forester Fred McDougail on woods inspection In tlie Clear Hills (Doig River) area, 1964 Cliff Smith Industry Development There was an absence of investment in pulp mill development for 13 years after the Hinton pulp mill was built. Then, in 1968, renewed interest in mill development resulted in public hearings for a proposal in the Grande Prairie area. These hearings lead to the negotiation of a Forest Management Agreement with Procter and Gamble Cellulose to construct Alberta's second pulp mill. This project was completed in 1973. An amendment to the Forests Act enabled disposition of deciduous timber on a long-term basis, similar to the coniferous quotas introduced in 1966. This led to Deciduous Timber Allocations (DTAs) for plywood and sawmill operations in the Lesser Slave Lake area, marking the first significant industrial utilization of aspen and poplar. Also about this time, new technology was being developed that would make it economically possible to use deciduous species for pulp and waferboard. This generated additional investment interest in the forests of northern Alberta. The response also heightened public awareness about the potential impact of development opportunities associated with the forest. Groups such as the Alberta Wilderness Association began campaigns of concern respecting coal exploration in subalpine and alpine areas, some of which were adjacent to national parks. A Forest Products Development section was established within the Department of Energy and Natural Resources in 1975. It began simply with a Minister John Zaozirny Bob Stevenson Alberta Forest Service Al Brennan, Executive Director, FIDO, 1986 Bob Stevenson report on the utility pole and fencepost industry, and continued in a modest capacity until 1978. It was the start of a proactive approach by the Alberta government to encourage expansion of the forest products industry. Its first initiative in 1978 was to invite proposals for a pulp mill and other timber processing facilities for the Berland- Fox Creek Timber Development Area (TDA). In November, 1979, after a round of public hearings on the proposals received, the Minister awarded the FMA to BC Forest Products Company Ltd. (BCFP). The company had proposed a $230- million sawmill at Grande Cache, a second sawmill at Knight near Whitecourt, and a thermo-mechanical pulpmill and newsprint mill at Hurdy, 25 km west of Whitecourt. BCFP started construction of the Grande Cache sawmill in 1980. As part of the Berland-Fox Creek TDA, 665,000 m^ of annual conifer cut was offered to existing quota holders in the Fox Creek area to enable expansion of their mills. Additional volume was offered to other established timber operators without quotas in the Edson and Whitecourt areas. AFS planning staff had also identified other possible TDAs that might support forest products industries on a sustained-yield basis. A 1979 Timber Management Branch report. Alberta: Location of Future Forest Industry was prepared for distribution to the forest industry in western Canada. This set the stage for an active program to encourage further investment in the forest products industry. ILLAR WESTERN ^ IVIillar Western's Eugene Leighton with tlie commemorative piece of lumber that marlced Alberta's first annual production of one billion board feet of lumber. Leighton was at the controls in 1983 when the landmark event occurred Millar Western The early 1980s were characterized by a major economic slump that resulted from falling prices in both the energy and forestry sectors. This considerably slowed the pace of investment and, in the case of BCFP, contributed to it having to abandon its commitments beyond the Grande Cache sawmill. This resulted in the loss of the company's FMA except for the area supporting that sawmill. Despite these economic setbacks, the Alberta government announced the availability of the Brazeau TDA and received 12 proposals by June, 1982. By the end of 1983 there were signs of recovery in the forest industry. Annual production for the sawmilling sector had reached one billion board feet - a record to that point. The ceremonial ''billionth board foot" was produced by Millar Western at Whitecourt. By this time, timber volumes were being measured in cubic metres (m^) - the billion board feet represented 4.29 million ml To put forest harvest volumes in perspective, total annual production, primarily of lumber and pulp, had climbed from three million m^ in 1966 to 7.3 million m^ in 1984. The ongoing softwood lumber dispute first emerged in October, 1982, when a coalition of U.S. forest companies filed a petition with the U.S. Department of Commerce alleging government subsidies on Canada's exported softwood lumber. The Alberta government and industry collaboratively prepared a response that on preliminary determination in March, 1983, Cliff Smith, ADM AFS, 1986 Bob Stevenson m 1966 - 1984 resulted in a judgment that ruled no significant subsidy existed. However, this was to become only the first of a long series of legal interventions by U.S. forest industries that continued into the 21st century. A particularly significant event occurred in October, 1983, with the opening of an oriented strand board (OSB) plant in Edson. This mill, using aspen as a fibre source, was the initiative of entrepreneur Al Owen of Pelican Spruce Mills. It was the first such mill in Canada and was the visionary forerunner of major investment in this product. As John Zaozirny, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, noted, "The harvesting of this under-utilized resource and its conversion into a highly acceptable product is of major Weldwood of Canada pulp mill, HInton Bob Stevenson Three Directors of Forestry who would later carry the title of Deputy Minister (L to R): Fred McDougall, Eric Huestis and Bob Steele, c. 1979 Alberta Government, AFHPC significance to the future of Alberta's forest industry." He also noted: "With less than 50 per cent of our total timber resources committed to development at the present time. Alberta's long- term opportunities to expand to meet future world demand are highly favourable."3 These were prophetic remarks. The year 1984 saw the introduction of another major 'turning-point' in forest policy in Alberta. The White Paper on Economic Development, generated in the aftermath of the 1982 economic recession, had a tremendous impact on the security and well-being of the province. Out of a realization that the economy was vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles in traditional resource markets, the paper promoted economic diversification. There was a call for direct government intervention in stimulating the economy. Alberta's forest resources were identified as relatively untapped and ripe for new investment. The next 15 years saw unprecedented levels of investment with the introduction of world-scale greenfield pulp, panel and lumber mills. This resulted in a near-complete allocation of the province's sustainable softwood and hardwood resources. Administration Bob Steele was named Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources in 1973-74, replacing V.A. (Vi) Wood on his retirement. Steele moved to Alberta Utilities and Telephones in 1978, and Fred McDougall replaced Steele as Deputy Minister. Fred was raised in Calgary, received a forestry degree at the University of New Brunswick and became the first field forester at Peace River in 1959. He worked for a while with the Swanson Lumber Co., and then resumed his AFS career in staff positions in Forest Management. He was serving as head of the Forest Management Branch when he was appointed Director of Forestry, and later became Deputy Minister. J.A. (Al) Brennan was hired as Alberta Forest Service Director of Forestry in 1979, the position at that time renamed Assistant Deputy Minister for the AFS. Brennan was another University of New Brunswick forestry graduate, who was Chief Forester for his home province of Newfoundland before moving to Alberta. In 1984 Brennan was invited to participate in an intensive 18-month senior-level management course through the Royal Military College at Kingston. C.B. (Cliff) Smith was appointed as Acting Assistant Deputy Minister for the AFS in his place. Smith had worked for the AFS after high school and during the summers of his forestry program at the University of Montana. He began work with the B.C. Forest Service in Prince George in 1963, and moved to Peace River as a forester that fall. His career took him to two section-head positions in the Forest Management Branch. He became Superintendent in Grande Prairie, and, in January 1981 Head of the Forest Protection Branch. When Brennan returned to Alberta from his management course in 1986, he became Executive Director of the newly created Forest Industry Development Division. Smith then became Assistant Deputy Minister for the AFS. He finished his career in the position of Deputy Minister in 1993. The 1966-67 fiscal year was noteworthy for several other developments besides introduction of the Quota system. The Forest Protection Division had become more encompassing. It now comprised six specialized sections: Fire Control, Fire Weather, Communications, Fire Research, Mechanical and Equipment Development, and Construction and Maintenance. The AFS owned three helicopters and three fixed-wing aircraft, and leased 14 others. The number of lookouts had increased to 146. Single sideband radios were introduced to provide better communications, especially in the northern areas where VHP showed weaknesses over the great distances and rough terrain. The Forest Surveys and Planning Division V.A. (Vi) Wood, Deputy Minister from 1966-67 to 1973-74 Alberta Government, AFHPC expanded its program to meet growing demands from both the Department and the public. The new Land Use Section handled upwards of 1,500 land surface applications annually, with most of them coming from the oil and gas industry. In the provincial Forests, many ranger districts were combined into fewer but larger areas "to provide improved working conditions and balanced workloads for ranger staff. Responsibility for the supervision of field activities gradually shifted from head office in Edmonton to Forest and District offices. Major increases in land uses and reforestation practices required staff additions, particularly in specialized fields."^ A new, more geographically comprehensive. Phase III forest inventory was initiated in 1970 and completed in 1984 (see Chapter Three for details of Phase I and II inventories). The inventory covered the majority of forested land in the province under provincial ownership (395,399 km^ or 60 per cent of Alberta's land area), outside the national parks. This inventory again focused more on coniferous stands, although the deciduous sample sized was increased. The Phase III inventory was used to support programs that encouraged more investment by forest industries. It was also used in the review and revision of quota allocations in 1986, the first renewals since the Quota system was introduced in 1966. These renewals were based on new utilization standards that obliged Quota holders to use smaller trees and lower-diameter logs. Besides the computer- based Phase III inventory, a program called Timber Revenue Enumeration and Evaluation System (TREES) was completed in January, 1985, to provide for better accounting and statistical reporting in support of forest management. The Phase III inventory was kept up to date for forest depletions, such as burned areas, timber harvesting, land clearings, etc., and geo- administrative changes such as the Green and White Areas, Forest Management Agreements 1966 - 1984 and Forest Management Units. Two developments highlighted deficiencies in the Phase III inventory during the mid-1980s First was the rapid growth of interest in the commercial potential of Alberta's deciduous species, primarily trembling aspen and balsam poplar. It became apparent that the deciduous inventory was weak. Secondly, the need for inventories of other forest attributes as a basis for multiple-use planning was recognized. Consequently a committee of government forestry, fish & wildlife and public lands staff, and holders of Forest Management Agreements, was established in 1984 to design a more comprehensive forest inventory that would provide resource information on timber and other forest-based resources such as wildlife habitat. The new inventory was named the Alberta Vegetation Inventory (AVI). AVI is a computer- based enhanced digital inventory that includes such additional details as understorey and soil/ site information. Forest Management Agreement holders agreed to do the bulk of the work to complete and maintain AVI on their respective areas. The company information is shared with the government through data-sharing agreements. A new Progressive Conservative government was elected under the leadership of Peter Lougheed in 1971. Most AFS programs were initially continued, but all were given intense scrutiny over the next few years. In 1972, the government commissioned a study into the environmental effects of timber harvesting in Alberta, prompted in part by public criticisms of natural resource management. CD. Schultz (SHULCO) was hired to do a study in the Junior Forest Wardens at Forestry Youth exhibit in Edmonton Bob Stevenson fall of 1972 and reported in September, 1973. The report made 75 recommendations, but began by noting that: "The Forest Service in its relatively short life has set worthwhile objectives for Crown forest lands, and has successfully advocated legislation, regulations and tenure systems for attainment of these objectives. Related legislation of other departments in government is generally in harmony. Much of this legislation and regulation is too recent for observation of results on the ground."^ Among the conclusions was a statement that: "Timber harvesting can remain as a principal and highly legitimate use of the project area. In many cases trade-offs between this use and competing uses are feasible and would avoid conflicts without major sacrifice." The report noted that environmental damage associated with roads, both during and after construction, was far greater than that associated with all other phases of harvesting. However, Schultz suggested that much of the damage could be reduced in the future simply by better planning, supervision and attention to detail on the ground. Overall it recommended strengthening AFS capabilities in forest planning and management. After about four years of study and evaluation, the Alberta government brought about a major reorganization among government departments. On April 2, 1975, the AFS became part of the new Department of Energy and Natural Resources, combining former Lands and Forests with Mines and Minerals. Two Deputy Ministers were named within this new Department, with Bob Steele as Deputy Minister of Renewable Resources. The mandate of the AFS was defined as responsibility for the management Alberta Forest Service of Alberta's forest lands "to ensure a supply of timber products while maintaining a high-quality forest environment/' Parks and Wildlife were o moved to a new Department of Recreation, Parks and Wildlife. As part of this reorganization, all government-owned aircraft and the four pilots on AFS staff were transferred to the Department of Government Services. The Construction and Maintenance Branch of AFS was dissolved, and road and airstrip construction responsibilities transferred to the Department of Transportation. In 1976, the Junior Forest Wardens were returned to the AFS from the former Department of Youth. The organization grew to 106 clubs with over 2,000 members by 1985. The Junior Forest Ranger work program continued with 120 JFRs in 10 field camps in 1976. The changing nature of the work of the AFS resulted in another reorganization within the Renewable Resources section of the new Department of Energy and Natural Resources in 1977 A new Resource Evaluation and Planning (REAP) Division was established, reporting to the Deputy Minister, with inventory and planning staff transferring from Forest Land Use and the Timber Management Branches. The mandate of REAP was to focus on resource evaluation and planning to try to further reduce conflicts in land use. The AFS was reconsolidated under five branches: Forest Protection, Timber Management, Reforestation and Reclamation, Forest Land Use and Program Support. The final report of the Environment Conservation Authority (ECA) - Forest Management in Alberta: Report of the Expert Review Panel - was issued in February 1979. Bruce Dancik of the University of Alberta chaired this forestry panel. Other members included Des Crossley, Chief Forester for North Western Pulp and Power Ltd., J.F. Reynolds from Grande Prairie and A.D. Crerar from the ECA. The panel's first community meeting was held in September, 1977, and meetings continued through 1978. Their report stimulated a lot of discussion and prompted a reassessment of programs within the AFS. However, it also provided reassurance about many aspects of forest management. For example, the preamble to the report's recommendations on timber harvesting included these remarks: "Many of the potential environmental problems associated with timber harvesting have been or can be resolved with an intelligent application of the current Ground Rules. The ground rule system works well, and, with continuing input from appropriate personnel in other departments and industry, it can continue to function well and give adequate protection to environmental and other resource values while maintaining viable forestry operations. Continued diligence by personnel of the AFS and other interested departments is needed to ensure that the letter Professor Bruce Dancik chaired the ECA panel on forest management, 1979 David Holehouse Lodgepole pine regeneration, south of Hinton. White spruce regen along roadway in the foreground Bob Stevenson 1966 - 1984 3i Sign at the entrance to Pine Ridge Forest Nursery Bob Stevenson and the spirit of the rules protect important environmental values. This is not to say the system should become static; it has changed and should continue to change to reflect new information and shifting values." The metric system was formally adopted by the AFS and other public bodies on November 1, 1979. This decision to conform to national standards was reached after extensive consultation with the forest industry. In 1980 the AFS celebrated its 50th anniversary. It was a milestone event. Robin Huth s Horses to Helicopters was published as an anniversary book. As well, the Junior Forest Wardens (JFW) celebrated the 50th anniversary of their establishment in British Columbia and their 25th year in Alberta - an anniversary celebration was held at the new Alberta Long Lake Camp. The JFW in Alberta by this time included about 1,120 members in 50 clubs. A new Forest Research Branch was established in 1980, led by Joe Soos. As the Annual Report stated: "Serious reductions in forest research efforts were implemented by the federal government in the past 10 years. It has been recognized by the Alberta government that research results are lacking in many areas of forest resource management which PWERIDGEh FOREST nursery! Advanced Fire Beliavlour class, 1984. Education was important to support advances in the science and technology of fire management Back Row (L to R): Dahl Harvey (PFFC Weather Section), Clayton Burke (NWT), Jamie IVIcQuarrie, Norm Olsen, Frank Lewis, Bob Yates, Jolin Brewer, Rick Lanoville (NWT). IVIiddle Row: Andy Gesner, Darryl Rollings, Herb Walker, Harold Dunlop, Mansel Davis, Bruce MacGregor, Larry Warren, Don Sarafinchin. Front Row: Mike Dubina, Stan Clarke, Maurice Lavallee, Don Dawson, Not Identified (Yukon), Gordon Dumas (Yukon), John Redburn (NWT), Bob Lenton Alberta Government, AFHPC may hinder progress toward more intensive forest management in the province. As a result, a new branch was created in April, 1980, to carry out forest research in seven major areas: site classification, reforestation, growth and yield, genetics, tree physiology, land reclamation and range management, and watershed management."^ These results were to be achieved through mission- oriented research and by ensuring research results were transferred into practice. The Branch was also expected to coordinate work among the other research agencies in Alberta. A separate Reforestation and Reclamation Branch was set up in 1977 to focus on forest renewal, under the leadership of Con Dermott. Its mandate was to establish, maintain and improve forest stands for timber production and for recreation, grazing, watershed and wildlife benefits. It was responsible for reforestation, for the Pine Ridge Forest Nursery at Smoky Lake and the Genetics and Tree Improvement Program. Construction of Pine Ridge Forest Nursery in 1980 was made possible through a $9-million grant from the Heritage Trust Fund, and it became a flagship nursery operation in Canada. The elevation of these responsibilities to a Alberta Forest Service Branch status reflected the AFS commitment to sustained yield, including forest renewal. It was also a tribute to the pioneering silviculturists, including Larry Kennedy and Kare Helium. Helium was a UBC forester who led during a time of great experimentation with container-grown seedlings and scarification techniques. He led the search for the new nursery site near Smoky Lake and, with forester Ed Ritcey, developed a computer-based silviculture record system. Helium left the AFS to teach at the University of Alberta. The Reforestation and Reclamation Branch also addressed the need for preventative measures and restoration on disturbed sites as a result of resource exploration and extraction. This need was highlighted in the 1979 ECA report on forest management, g Comparing the relative influence of the forest products industry and exploration by petroleum companies for the 20-year period from 1956 to 1976, the report estimated 25,600 square kilometres of disturbance by forest industry and 23,400 square kilometres by the petroleum industry - almost equal areas. The ECA recommendations emphasized both prevention and restoration. With increasing industry involvement in reforestation, the demand for planting stock increased greatly. This led to trials of bareroot stock in nursery beds and a variety of containers in greenhouses to develop greater efficiencies in seedling production. The AFS nursery at Oliver had been expanded to increase bareroot stock, but increasing problems with soils and weeds led to a search for a new location with more suitable soils and room for expansion. A new site Seedlings delivered for field planting project, Tony Tower area, southwest of Fox Creek, late 1980s Alberta Government, AFHPC was selected near the town of Smoky Lake on which the new Pine Ridge Forest Nursery was constructed. It was completed in 1980 with 13.2 million seedlings being grown in two nursery buildings and additional bareroot stock started in outdoor beds. By 1984 the facility was shipping 9.3 million trees and, in that same year, a special tree-planting ceremony was held to celebrate the shipping of the 100 millionth tree. Also in 1980, a Silviculture Improvement Advisory Committee was established, combining industry and AFS members in a "MM^^ cooperative approach • |-Q research and field trials. In 1982 the AFS purchased land in the Grande Prairie area for a seed orchard complex that was jointly developed with forest industry. The first "satisfactory reforestation" (SR) deadline under the Quota System was reached in 1976. All logged areas had to be surveyed for regeneration success by the end of the seventh year following harvest. Not sufficiently regenerated (NSR) areas had to be planted in the year following the survey, and surveyed again in the tenth year. Significant increases in industy reforestation led to greatly increased planting programs. The total number of seedlings planted by the AFS and industry passed the seven million mark in 1976, according to the AFS statistical record. This collaborative approach resulted in increases to over 10 million seedlings in 1980 and 17 million in 1984. Kare Helium, former AFS Silviculturist and U of A Professor, 1993 Bob Stevenson 1966 - 1984 Plans Course participants, 1972. The course prepared personnel for the position of Plans Chief, one of the key members of a wildfire overhead team Back row (L to R): Harold Enfield, Bob Plankenhorn, Tom Oliver, Lou Foley, Keith Whyte, Ed Stashko, Dave Cox. Second row from back: Bob Miller, Ken McCrae, Bob Petite, Clyde Ulm, Ken South, Gordon Bisgrove, Cliff Henderson. Third row from back: Norm Woody, Art Peter, Gordie Masson, Oliver Glanfield, Ed Pichota. Front row: Bill Fisher, Brian Carnell, Leon Graham, Bill Francis, A. Forbes, Rick Manwaring and Harry Jeremy Alberta Government, AFHPC following information on expenditures and program achievements to 1987: Reforestation ($22,933,774): stocking surveys, stand conversion, 64 million seedlings planted, cone collection for seeds, aerial seeding, stand thinning. Tree Improvement ($962,895): superior trees identified, two seed banks, clone banks and one research arboretum established, planting stock for genetic research and 6,564 grafts, more than 700 seedlots added to the genetic seed bank. Stand Improvement ($865,978): stand thinning. A Maintaining Our Forests (MOF) project was approved under the Alberta Heritage Savings Trust Fund, and initiated in April, 1979. It was proposed as a seven-year $25-million program to establish and maintain coniferous timber stands. This infusion of money resulted in significant additions to regeneration surveys, site preparation, planting and stand spacing. The program came out of a review conducted by the AFS in 1978-79 into the depletion of the coniferous resource by activities other than authorized timber harvesting. The MOF program was designed to stop the erosion of the coniferous landbase. It included four themes: reforestation & afforestation of potentially productive lands, wetland drainage and tree-growth improvement trials, tree improvement (genetics), and stand improvement (spacing and thinning of wild stands). The program was approved for $25 million, starting in 1979-80. For logistical reasons the reforestation sub-program ran for eight years. A major proportion of the reforestation program was spent on conversion of young, very dense aspen stands to white spruce, which reflected the conifer bias that prevailed at the time. The closing report for MOF provides the Wetland Tree-growth Improvement ($200,275): drainage ditches on 35 ha of treed muskeg. Evolution of fire management Although progress had been made in building fire control capability, the system was severely tested in the spring of 1968. As Bob Steele, Director of Forestry, reported: "The many improvements during the year were marred by the worst forest fire year in Alberta's history. Fires destroyed almost one million acres of forestland, with most of the damage occurring during one week of extremely unfavourable weather in May. Settler fires became uncontrollable and Type III firefighter training, south of Fox Creek, 1986. Mike Dubina giving instruction Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service swept into the forested areas in central Alberta with unprecedented vengeance. Only a small per centage of the fire-killed timber could be salvaged. This problem further demonstrates the necessity for greater control of settlers' burning practices and a much improved weather Trainee firefighters take morning fitness m\k, south of Fox Creek, 1986 Alberta Government, AFHPC forecasting system.''^ The strong connection between weather and fire behaviour had long been recognized. The problems were first to obtain reliable weather data over the full geographic region, second to try to quantify what the data meant in terms of fire hazard, and then to interpret the data and forecast fire weather and behaviour. The Canadian Forest Service fire research staff had developed tables based on weather readings that gave a "Fire Danger Index" to indicate relative ease of ignition and fire intensity. These were adapted to Alberta in the 1950s. These tables Dale Huberdeau, Forest Protection Officer, on river patrol Alberta Government, AFHPC illustrated the importance of weather readings and, with support of Canada's Meteorological Service, properly equipped weather stations were extended to all lookouts and most ranger stations. Radio Branch handled the collection and compilation of readings, which were also sent to federal forecasters and climatologists. Forest Protection sent out daily generalized assessments of fire danger, with the Training Branch including fire weather in its programs for lookoutmen and fire management staff. During this time, federal forecasters also began to focus more on the warning factors such as low relative humidity, cold fronts and instability. The appointment of W.J. (Jock) McLean as fire weather officer in 1963 was the first major advance in applying weather to fire management. This appointment was a result of the urgings of Frank Piatt. Then, in 1967 Jock McLean rec- ommended that Alberta hire its own meteorologist on an experimental basis to test the idea of a specifically tailored forecast and closer liaison with both the federal weather service and AFS fire control staff through to the firefighter. Meteorologist Ed Stashko was hired to fill this position. Although reaction was positive, tentative plans in 1968 for continuation of such service fell through when operating funds were slashed. Ironically, the spring of 1968 was also the year of the disastrous fires in which more than a million acres burned. This included the Vega fire that spread nearly 40 miles in 10 hours, threatening the town of Slave Lake. However, the experience highlighted the importance of fire weather forecasting. B-26 drops water mixed with fire retardant Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 In 1969 the AFS Fire Weather Office commenced full-time routine operation with Blane Coulcher as permanent meteorologist and Ed Stashko added for the summer. For the 1970 and 1971 seasons Ed was the permanent meteorologist. Two additional meteorologists. Bill Meheriuk and Joe Eley, were on staff and available and, for the first time, a field forecaster was posted at Footner Lake Forest for two months. Under the able and innovative supervision of these meteorologists and Dahl Harvey, Ben Janz and Nick Nimchuk at AFS headquarters, fire weather and fire behaviour forecasting became integral components of Alberta's fire management system. As fire weather forecasting improved through the 1960s, the Canadian Forest Service was introducing the Canadian Forest Fire Danger Rating System (CFFDRS). It was a product of over 50 years of research with data that included test fire observations from Alberta and across Canada. The CFFDRS was based on observations of experimental fires and definitive measurements of fuel moisture. The system predicts fire spread and fire intensity through weather, fuel and topography inputs. Dave Kiil was the senior fire scientist with the Canadian Forest Service in Edmonton who, along with Dennis Quintilio, Dennis Dube and George Chrosciewicz, conducted experimental burns to improve the data on fire behaviour elements of the new danger rating system. An impressive series of over j4 - r-k, f.^ Lt. Gov. Ralph Steinhauer (standing centre back) with Sandy Lake's winning squad (Alexander First Nation) in a firefighter competition, 1976. Ranger front left is Maurice Lavallee Alberta Government, AFHPC 60 of these carefully planned and recorded burns was done during the 10-year period from 1965 to 1975 in cooperation with AFS. The aim was to develop and quantify the fire behaviour indices and to assess the potential of fire as a silvicultural tool. The fires also served as training exercises. Some of the burns were also monitored to assess post-fire vegetation and stand succession. Fires were ignited in study areas at Hinton, Kananaskis Forest Experiment Station, Slave Lake, Darwin Lake and Steen River. The Darwin Lake trial in northeastern Alberta, for example, was conducted in 1974 by AFS and CFS staff. Seven research fires were set in jack pine stands and measured to provide reliable data to strengthen the components of the CFFDRS. Photographs clearly illustrated the changes in fire intensity and have been widely used in training. Participants included Dale Huberdeau from AFS, Dennis Quintilio from CFS and Charlie Van Wagner from CFS Petawawa along with firefighters from Fort Chipewyan. In 2005, nearly 200 weather monitoring sites were used to provide field staff and managers with up-to-date fire behaviour and weather forecasting information. This information has been shared with the federal government for the past 30 years and represents the only forestry data used in the national climate archives.^j Fire management was given a boost in 1969 when the new Provincial Forest Fire Centre - the "Fire Depot" - was opened in Edmonton on the east side of the City Centre Airport. It brought the fire control elements together including the warehousing, equipment development and construction activities. This provided greater coordination and collaboration. A DC-3 transport aircraft was also purchased to enhance transport of fire crews, and in 1973 the first provincial firefighting competition was held. Refinement of fire management capabilities continued into the 1970s. Three new airtanker bases were established in 1977 and infrared sensing devices were introduced. The system was again severely tested in 1980 with 1,300 fires and 670,000 hectares burned. It was a Alberta Forest Service $26 -million year for fire costs, and was a precursor to what was described as the worst fire season to date in 1981, with 1,556 fires and over 1.3 million hectares burned. Firefighting costs that year exceeded $60 million. Lightning caused most of these fires and one of them, the Moosehorn fire, forced the evacuation of the town of Swan Hills in early August. More than $5 million was spent controlling this fire in a period marked by no rain. The 1981 season was a catalyst for reassessing the fire management system and for instituting additional major changes. While these major changes were being evaluated, 1,285 fires occurred in 1982, costing $75 million to fight and burning 680,000 hectares. The fires of 1980 and 1981 prompted the Timber Salvage Incentive and Forest Employment Bridging programs, designed to help the forest industry salvage burned timber and to provide an employment opportunity for woods workers. As Dale Huberdeau, Fire Protection Officer, commented, . . the Protection Branch made the most significant changes from the disastrous year of 1981. To about 1984 we pretty well shook the organization upside down and built a new one in terms of forest protection. There were some very significant changes and advances made."^2 One improvement was the introduction of rappel training, using a new tower constructed at the Forest Technology School at Hinton. Graduates were employed as helitack teams, rappelling down onto early- stage fires from helicopters. By 1983 a new Presuppression and Preparedness Resource System (PPRS) was implemented, with the objective of allowing only a 15-minute initial attack response time for all fires during high and extreme hazard periods. To help make this possible, eight helitack and three 25-person First NAIT graduating class at Hinton, 1966 Back Row (L to R): George Nemeth, Brian Carnell, Gordon Bisgrove, Horst Rohde, Stan Lux, Blaine Dahl, Brent Simmonds, Revie Liesl(ovsl(y, Ron Gordey, Rod Gustafson. Middle Row: Jack Susut, Don Campbell, Bruce Cameron, Emanuel Doll, Bart Presley. Front Row: Larry Huberdeau, Louis Kilarski, Archie Smitli, Dennis Cox, Bill Kovacli, John Edwards, Francis Donnelly, Ken Paulson, Bruce Robson. Missing: Arnold Mogdan. Instructors were Dick Altmann, Stan Lockard, Jack Macnab, John Wagar and Peter Murphy Alberta Government, AFHPC First graduating class of the Forestry Crew Worker program 1981, Alberta Vocational College, Lac La Biche Back Row (L to R): Bobby Cardinal, Rene Noulta, Robert Harrison, Marcel Bruneau, Leroy Goodeagle, Bert Varty (Program Head), Alvin Cardinal, Lou Bougie, Douglas Smith, Jeff Reynolds, Toby Desjarlais, Ken Tyler. Front Row: Evelyn Calliou, Leona Buckler, Cathy Butler, Louise Babin. Both Evelyn Calliou and Doug Smith became Forest Officers with the Alberta Forest Service. Margarete Hee became program head in 1982 Alberta Vocational College university student crews, together with air support, were employed for the fire season. Also that year, the AFS completed negotiations to participate in a federal-provincial agreement to buy two CL-215S each, for a total of four to be supplied in 1987. A DC-6-B retardant airtanker was also added to the provincial fleet of airtankers - bringing the total to 11 B-26s, three DC-6-Bs and three Cansos. The system was severely tested again in 1984 with the second-highest incidence of fires in 1966 - 1984 history. The total rose to 1,368, with a record 654 fire starts during 16 days in mid-summer. Early detection and good preparation resulted in only nine fires escaping early containment, although 70,998 hectares burned. By this time an automatic lightning detection system had been installed and was working well. Alberta's capability in fire detection was recognized in 1984 when the AFS was asked to participate in a Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) project on the Jiagedaqi model forest management project in the northeast Chinese province of Heilongjiang. Fire detection specialist Joe Niederleitner was seconded to the project to develop the fire detection system. Forest Health The mandate of the Forest Protection Branch was redefined to: "protect Alberta's forests from damage and destruction by fire, insects or diseases and to administer the Forest and Prairie Protection Act and Regulations." The Branch was also to provide meteorological, emergency communication and survival services as well as statistics and analysis on forest fires. Also during the 1977-78 year, a "minor outbreak" of mountain pine beetle was discovered in the Crowsnest Forest, the first occurrence since the early 1960s. This was to evolve quickly into a major sanitation, salvage and burn operation assisted by the Canadian Forest Service. By 1984, the epidemic appeared to have stopped spreading. Education and Research In 1970, the University of Alberta approved a new BSc degree program in Forestry within the newly named Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry. This provided a local opportunity to obtain a forestry degree, and marked the beginning of an additional forest research capability for Alberta. Dr. Fred Bentley, noted soil scientist and Dean of Agriculture at the university, had T 1 -1974 1.^.'^'' %f . ^ ' ^> ^ ^ .a, .^1 .J. ,^ 'fi First Forestry graduating class at the University of Alberta University of Alberta earlier discussed the idea of a forestry program with leaders such as Bob Steele, local Canadian Forest Service Director (Dr. CP.) Phil Thomas and Arden Rytz, Manager of the Alberta Forest Products Association. Dr. Fenton MacHardy succeeded Bentley as Dean in 1970. He led the new program, along with Dr. Steve Pawluk, another soils scientist who had conducted research into the identification of lands that were most suitable for forestry. The first forestry class enrolled in the fall of 1970. The program was directed largely by Steve Pawluk with Dr. Bill Corns, a plant scientist familiar with forested ecosystems. The Forest Technology School in Hinton organized a first- year camp for University of Alberta students in 1971, to provide more specific orientation before summer work. Two new teaching positions in the program were filled by Dr. John D. Schultz (program chair) and Jim Beck, who was still working on his PhD thesis but came well recommended. Jack Schultz resigned as chair in January, 1973 and P.J. Murphy took that position in the spring of 1975. The first class graduated in the spring of 1974, with Dr. Allan Warrack, Minister of Lands and Forests, as guest speaker. Eight of those graduates later worked with the AFS or related provincial resource agencies: Keith Branter, Ryerson (Morley) Alberta Forest Service Christie, Bill Gladstone, Fred Moffat, Rod Simpson, Doug Sklar, Brydon Ward and Mel White. The Forest Development Research Trust Fund was established in the early 1970s, through the AFS, to encourage greater collaboration among forest research organizations in Alberta and to provide additional funding for forest research. Teaching an awareness of and appreciation for forests in Alberta was a particular responsibility of the Alberta Forestry Association, successor to the Prairie Provinces Forestry Association of the 1930s and the Canadian Forestry Association formed in 1900. From 1962 Greg and Gladys Stevens toured schools annually throughout Alberta with their small travel trailer to spread their messages of forest and wildlife conservation, as well as fire prevention. This genial couple influenced thousands of students before retiring in 1983, after 21 years of outreach work. The Forest Technology School's Forest Fire Simulator won the Alberta Forestry Innovation award in 1990 and has enjoyed a long and very successful track record. The simulator's beginnings stem back to 1967 when the institution's first fire simulator was purchased from Decision Systems Inc. of Paramus, New Jersey. The simulator was employed as a command and control decision- making training system for fire supervisors who had undergone basic theory training in fire behaviour, suppression resources, tactics and Greg and Gladys Stevens, well known throughout Alberta for leading the Alberta Forestry Association school tours for over 20 years Alberta Government, AFHPC safety. It was a good machine in its time. The equipment consisted of a large console housing 5,000 watts of light power bounced through a series of mirrors, prisms, rotating discs, carbon paper and a single 35 mm slide depicting fuel and topography. The simulator created the illusion of smoke, flame and char moving across the topography through a slide projected on a screen. A combination of radio/telephone communications and a multi-track tape sound effects system helped trainees make informed fire suppression decisions based on what they saw on the screen and what they heard. When Rob Thorburn, the new fire management instructor, arrived at the school in 1986, he recognized that after almost 20 years, the machine was outdated. Wires were bare, sockets were corroded, and it seemed that there was more smoke being generated in the control room than on the screen. To add to this dilemma, the technology was no longer catching the interest of the students who, by this time, were familiar with the IMAX theatre, 360-degree movies with surround-sound and computer-based virtual reality. All this combined with the fact that set-up time amounted to several hours caused Thorburn to realize that with the technology of the day, there might be an easier and more effective way to deliver simulation. Planning began in 1987 to consider application of laser disc technology to support a new fire simulator system, and it was this work that ultimately led to the award-winning interactive CD-ROM training program. Dennis Quintilio, Marty Alexander, and Terry Van Nest had spent two weeks at the University of Idaho scripting a laser disc fire behaviour course. When they returned with the final product Thorburn quickly (L to R): Butch Shenfield, Don Law, Ed Johnson Participants are roleplaying Overhead fire team positions in a FTS simulator exercise. This tool allowed people to learn and make mistakes in a 'friendly' environment, 1980s Terry Van Nest 1966 - 1984 began adapting it to simulation training in Hinton. Though still in its infancy, laser disc technology offered exciting potential for 60 minutes of motion video and 108,000 colour slides accessible within two-tenths of a second. Thorburn conceptualized a design for a control software package and contracted a private company to do the programming. Interface electronic hardware to connect to a computer was all hand wired by Thorburn at the school. By 1989 a working prototype had been evaluated and it led to a more permanent system by 1990. Word soon got out nationally and internationally, and Thorburn was hosted by agencies around the world to demonstrate the Alberta simulator. A complete fire simulator was built by Thorburn for the British Columbia Institute of Technology in 1992 and is still in use today. The California State Fire Marshall was the first non-Canadian agency to take delivery of another system and today many agencies around the world utilize this simulator for both training and certification purposes. The simulator has undergone many transformations over the last 15 years. Laser discs have been replaced by digital video stored in a computer. Audio tapes have been replaced by digital audio. Software includes accommodation for computer-based fire growth modelling, simulated time clocks and real-time capture of a student's performance. The simulator is the best hands-on training that can be provided in a classroom setting and provides a safe environment for learning invaluable lessons. Land Use Planning The first major land-use issue in Alberta emerged in the 19th century as agriculture and settlement began to put pressure on forested areas. On one hand, clearing forests on the better soils made sense and resulted in successful farms. On the other, clearing on poor soils did little to produce good farm livelihoods. In addition, there were associated challenges of out-of-control wildfires started by settlers clearing their land, loss of wildlife and natural habitat, and a demand for remote roads and schools that the province could ill afford. In 1961 a new Land Use Section led by Gordon Smart was set up in the Forest Management Branch, largely to handle the Gordon Smart, (R) Administrator of the new Land Use Section, 1965 with Senior Assistant Chucl( Geale Alberta Government, AFHPC Coring samples for coal, Panther River area, Bow River Forest, 1969 Bob Stevenson Alberta Forest Service growing impacts of the energy sector. This was a different kind of "multiple-use" activity - one that disturbed the forest but did not require any of the forest resources to produce its product, nor was it amenable to management through land classification. Prior to the establishment of this new Section, field staff were operationally focused and did not have the tools or expertise to do effective land use planning. Their role revolved mostly around identifying sensitive sites before activities were approved, but the review periods were short and development pressures high. Forest Surveys staff, as early as the mid-1950s, began trial land classification systems. Foresters Ron Fytche and Gordon DeGrace interpreted landforms on air photos, in an attempt to rationalize other forest-based activities such as agriculture, grazing, oil and gas. In 1969, Land Use was made a full branch under the direction of Gordon Smart with responsibility for managing forest land uses (also including recreation, watershed, erosion and reclamation) and planning for them. Land Use Branch staff also became involved in coordinating the Canada Land Inventory (CLI) Forestry Sector mapping. This was a federal-provincial program under the Agricultural and Rural Development Act (ARDA), through which estimates were made of the land's suitability and productivity for a number of potential uses, including forestry, recreation, wildlife and fisheries. During this time, the variety and intensity of land use impacts on the eastern slopes began to highlight conflicts among users and uses such as grazing, recreation, fishing and hunting, oil and gas and logging. Through a combination of these uses, damage to many individual sites occurred. Two inter-agency projects, the Foothills Resource m Coal exploration trail on Dog Rib Ridge soutli of Ya Ha Tinda, Red Deer River area, Bow Forest, 1969 Bob Stevenson Brusli piles from construction of the Big Horn Dam reservoir, west of Nordegg, Clearwater Forest, 1969 Bob Stevenson Allocation Study and the Hinton-Yellowhead Regional Land Use Study were launched in 1970 to identify important and sensitive sites and to try to prevent and mitigate land-use conflicts through zoning. These exercises built on the study-team approach to evaluation and allocation of land identified by the CLI mapping. Around the late 1960s, the AFS became aware of growing public concerns about industrial impacts through volumes of calls to field staff and articles in the press. One response to this pressure was intensive reclamation work to recontour and eliminate roads, trails and pits caused by coal exploration machinery in alpine areas. -1 o-t 1966 - 1984 Public lands are also managed for grazing Alberta Government, AFHPC In 1969 Bob Steele, Director of Forestry, reported that AFS head office was reorganized "because of increased interest in other uses of forest land and the necessity to implement greater administrative control of forestry policies and practices."^3 The resulting six branches took responsibility for Administration, Construction and Maintenance, Forest Land Use, Forest Protection, Timber Management and Training. Activity in the Forest Land Use Section was a reflection of growing land use concerns. Steele reported in 1971: "The public has become much more concerned in recent years with the manner in which the forested areas of the province are being managed. This has resulted in careful and frequent reviews of forest land policies and practices and in greater complexities in administration.'' , In 1971 an erosion research project was initiated to study soil loss and reclamation in the Swan Hills area. It was undertaken by the AFS with staff from the Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board. The study led to recommendations that the Canadian Petroleum Association (now Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers) initiate corrective action and has led to increasing collaboration between the two sectors. The mandate of the Forest Land Use Branch was to manage Alberta's public forestlands for watershed, grazing and recreational benefits, as well as reviewing applications for surface disturbances. This included looking after the 130 AFS campgrounds throughout the Green Zone; coordination of emergency action on oil and chemical spills; review of applications for surface rights such as seismic operations, sand and gravel deposits, coal mines, wellsites, pipelines and roadways; and administration of grazing of domestic livestock in the Green Zone. The Environment Conservation Authority (ECA), an independent government-funded agency, conducted hearings into Land Use and Resources Development in the Eastern Slopes to identify public interests in and concerns about this foothills area. The ECA recommendations in 1974 identified watershed and public recreation priorities and called for an integrated resource policy and land use planning. In response to the ECA recommendations, and encouraged by the work of the Foothills Resource Allocation Studies, a separate Resource Evaluation & Planning (REAP) division was set Rider and packhorse cross the Clearwater river Bob Stevenson Alberta Forest Service Oil leaked from wellhead in the Red Earth District, Slave Lake Forest, June, 1971. One duty of a ranger was to do land use inspections where environmental problems such as this were discovered. The ranger would then contact the company and ensure that the site was cleaned up and restored Jamie McQuarrie up in 1976 under the direction of Les Cooke. Cooke implemented the pioneering land-use zoning method advocated in the Foothills Resource Allocation Study, with the support of Deputy Minister Fred McDougall. It was decided at this time that the forest inventory function should also be centralized so that all agencies could have input and access to it. The inventory unit took over delivery of the Phase III forest inventory and all mapping functions. It also initiated physical and ecological land classification in support of the integrated resource planning effort. In 1977 the use of forested lands by petroleum and natural gas industry resulted in a 25 per cent increase in applications that year to 2,688, and seismic line approvals increased to 6,325 miles from 3,643. In addition, AFS was directly involved with the administration of five active and two proposed coal mines. The REAP evaluation and planning within the foothills culminated in 1977 in the approval of a Policy for Resource Management of the Eastern Slopes. This policy document described eight land use zones, listed permitted and prohibited uses within each, and delineated the boundaries of each zone on a series of maps. The area essentially encompassed the five original Forests of the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve from the Crowsnest in the south to the Athabasca in the north. It included the headwaters of the Saskatchewan, Athabasca and Smoky River systems. The eastern slopes policy addressed oil and gas exploration and development using a compatibility matrix. For the first time these activities were prohibited in those zones designated as Prime Protection, and constrained within Critical Wildlife zones. Other trial Integrated Resource Plans (IRPs) were prepared for agricultural land expansion and oilsands development areas. In 1980 enabling legislation permitted the Department to establish Forest Land Use Zones, or areas of land to which controls may be applied to resolve specific land-use problems. They were largely designed to manage recreational motorized vehicles, for example, to protect ecologically sensitive sites and critical wildlife habitats. This authority made it possible to extend aspects of eastern slopes-type zoning throughout the rest of the forested area, as well as addressing specific problems in the eastern slopes. The eastern slopes policy was revised in 1984 "to provide for the maximum delivery of the full range of values and opportunities in this important region." It was a policy that prevailed into the new millennium. REAP continued its land use studies in an attempt to help rationalize and mitigate land-use conflicts. It achieved some successes within the renewable resource sectors, including forestry, wildlife, fish, watershed, grazing and recreation. However, the energy sector had become a major influence on land uses and, given the time-dependent nature of its exploration and development, it remained largely outside land use planning efforts. Lodgepole Blowout Forest Officer Lloyd Seedhouse of Cold Creek Ranger Station recalls (personal communication with the authors) the blowout that was reported to Ken McCrae of the AFS at 1820 hrs on October 17, 1982. His activities reflect the considerable involvement that AFS staff had with other land users within the forest. "On October 18, Gordon Jaap (Chief Ranger at 1966 - 1984 View of the Lodgepole blowout after fire erupted on November 1, Ken McCrae 1982 the same station) and I went to the site late in the afternoon to meet with Amoco representatives, although we were not allowed on the site because of the sour gas. At another meeting on October 25 we met with Amoco staff again regarding a temporary bridge across the Pembina River and Zeta Creek. Amoco wanted this bridge as an emergency escape route to the south, in case the only access from the north became cut off for any reason. Amoco had constructed a road from the 1978 blowout site down to the river. As we walked along the road I saw Amoco had placed Scott Packs (emergency breathing apparatus) for us to use in case there was a wind shift and we had to scramble out of there. "On November 1, Amoco tried to release the pipe stem in the wellhead and the pressure of the gas shot the pipe out through the derrick. I was told a piece of the pipe hit the derrick causing a spark, which started the first fire. When Ken McCrae and I flew the area at 1615 hrs about 12 to 16 hectares had burned. "On November 3, 1 was on site with the ERCB to discuss plans for cleaning up the condensate from the well that had settled on the ice on the Pembina and Zeta. Now that the rig was on fire it was safe from a poisonous gas point of view. AFS staff were required to make a number of decisions, such as giving permission for Amoco to clear trees on the site, because they were soaked in condensate and had burned. On November 4, 1 gave Amoco permission to clear a new wellsite to the north for a relief well. There was some question later about what authorization I had to do this, but heck, it was an emergency and I made an emergency decision - right or wrong. "The wellhead fire was extinguished on November 14 but it re-ignited on November 25, burning until December 23. We had a joint meeting with Amoco about clean-up and reclamation in early January, 1983. A large area around the blowout was sprayed with condensate and it was felt the trees would die. We felt these trees should be removed to prevent a fire hazard and not to waste the timber. "Later in January we laid out the area for tree removal. No one had any idea of how much condensate spray it took to kill a tree, so we went to the edges of the affected area and if there was about six millimetres of condensate on the snow and the trees felt oily, we felt they would probably die and should be removed. The salvage operation wasn't fully completed right away, and our predictions eventually proved to be correct." Seedhouse said that as for the condensate that sprayed out from the ruptured wellhead, it filtered down through the ground and flowed along the bedrock to recovery pits dug by Amoco. Women in Forestry Lola Cameron started work in the office of the Director of Forestry in 1946, retiring in 1981. She became secretary to Director Eric Huestis when he was appointed in 1948 and served in that capacity through three successive directors. Well organized and remarkably capable she assumed responsibilities of a director before such positions were common and women were Alberta Forest Service considered capable of assuming them. In contemporary times she would have been a Director of Administrative Services. She functioned as such without the official recognition and related salary. Cameron saw that decisions were carried out through a combination of phone calls, telegrams (later teletype messages), memoranda and directives. Not one to usurp or assume authority, she worked effectively within her responsibilities, but with a flair and understanding that inspired teamwork and action. She got to know all the field staff, forestry, wildlife and fisheries, by face and name as they made periodic visits. She committed them to her capacious memory, which helped immensely to bind the organization into a semblance of a like-minded family. Cameron deserves singular recognition for what she achieved in communication, personnel relations, records and myriad executive services as the agency grew in size and complexity during that post-war period. She epitomized the spirit of the Forests and Wildlife family during her 35 years of service. Construction of road access to the Fort McKay Ranger Station from a winter crossing on tlie Ells River, Fort McMurray, Lac La Biche Division, mid-1960s Corinne Huberdeau Reg Loomis was Senior Superintendent of Forest Surveys from 1949 to 1959 and Director of Forest Management from 1959 to 1968. Eric Huestis brought Loomis to Alberta in the fall of 1949 to make certain that the forest inventory was done correctly. Loomis' vision for Alberta forestry was "to set up the whole province on a sustainable basis." When the first inventory was nearing completion in 1955 he helped to negotiate the first Forest Management Agreement with North Western Pulp and Power Ltd. at Hinton (now Hinton Wood Products, West Fraser). He was successful in ensuring a working commitment to sustained yield forest management, including prompt reforestation of harvested areas. He led the forest management planning initiative for all Alberta's provincial forest lands. In the process he developed silviculture programs; got the saw milling sector committed to sustained yield; and with the growing impact of oil and gas activities in the forested areas, set up a land-use unit to manage for values other than timber. Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 Larry Huberdeau, 1st NAIT Graduating Class, Forest Technology School, Hinton, May, 1966 Alberta Government, AFHPC Bruce MacGregor standing beside an AFS Alberta Forest Service Rangers Gary Davis (L) and Wally Walton cruising along the Moosehorn River in waist high snow, Slave Lake Forest, 1960s Lou Foley Rangers Gary Davis (L) and Lou Foley, on timber cruise near Moosehorn River, repairing Nodwell track, Slave Lake Forest, 1960s Lou Foley Ranger Gary Mandrusiak checks poorly-installed culvert. 'Hanging culverts' are barriers to passage of fish and other aquatic life Alberta Government, AFHPC Staff at Edson Ranger Meeting, Edson Forest, 1969 (L to R): Archie Miller, Ben Sliantz, Don Fregren, Hanl( Ryhanen (Forest Superintendent) Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 Basic Ranger Course, Forest Technology School, HInton, 1967 Back Row (L to R): Gary Schneidmiller, Rocky-Clearwater; Howard Gray, Footner Lake; Eric Young, Whitecourt; Lou Foley, Slave Lake. Middle Row: Les Welsh, Slave Lake; Dennis York, Slave Lake; Ron Blauel, NWT Forest Service; Wally Manchester, Edson; Pat Wilson, Slave Lake; Bill Bereska, Athabasca (Fort McMurray). Front Row: Harold Boissy, Footner Lake; Edwin Preece, Edson; Bob Welch, Lac La Biche; Keith Franklin, Bow River; Wade Lamoureux, Parks Canada, Whitehorse Alberta Government, AFHPC Forestry float entered by the Edson Forest winning a prize, Town of Edson, 1966. Ranger Dan Jenkins left side of float, Edwin Preece holding trophy Alberta Government, AFHPC Lou Foley, Basic Ranger Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1967 Alberta Government, AFHPC Bill Bereska, Basic Ranger Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1967 Alberta Government, AFHPC Howard Gray, Basic Ranger Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1967 Alberta Government, AFHPC Dennis York, Basic Ranger Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1967 Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Joe lucky' Lieskovsky was awarded the Supreme Award, Adult Category at the International Competition of Forest Fire Prevention Posters in Ottawa, September, 1969 Revie Lieskovsky Alberta Forest Service Bertie Beaver sign made by Joe Lieskovsky, February, 1964 Revie Lieskovsky 6ERTIE SAYS.. FIRE EXTREME ' HIGH MODERATE •low ?figgje BE CAREFUL Bertie Beaver Fire Danger sign made by Joe Lieskovsky, February, 1964 Revie Lieskovsky Footner Lake Headquarters staff, Footner Lake Forest, fall, 1978 or spring, 1979 (L to R): Ed Gillespie, Pliil Dube, Don Fregren (Director Timber Management, Edmonton), John Best, Dennis Driscoll, Steve Luchkow (hidden). Cliff Henderson (Superintendent), Ed Ritcey, Ken Porter, Rick Manwaring, Henry Desjarlais Rick Smith 1966 - 1984 District Staff, Footner lake Forest, fail, 1978 or spring, 1979 (L to R): Rick Stewart (partially cut off), Bill Bereska, John Rizok, Kelly G'Shea, Randy Panko, Conrad Bellows, Bernie Gauthier, Paul Steiestol, Ian Hancock, Rick Smith, Brian Meads, Jurgen Moll, Len Wilton, Brian Wudarck. Missing: Dale Huberdeau Rick Smith Forest Officers outside Fox Creek Ranger Station, Wliitecourt Forest, February, 1983 (L to R): Shawn Milne, Rick Smith, Mike Lambe, Ian Hancock Fred Paget Alberta Forest Service Construction of the Firebag Bridge, Fort IVIclVlurray, Atliabasca Forest, 1968. Plioto sliows east end of 125-foot bridge Corinne Huberdeau Bridge crew camp for construction of Firebag bridge, Fort IVIclVlurray, Athabasca Forest, winter, 1968. Ernie Ferguson's car at camp Corinne Huberdeau Advanced Ranger Class, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1969 (L to R): Jim Young, John Klassen (Yukon), Andy Kostiuk, Dave Brown, Gerry Campbell (Parks - Waterton), Doug Quinnell, Dennis Howells, Hylo McDonald, Ken liennig, Vern MacRoberts (NWT), Gordon Jaap, Gary Giese, Wilfred (Jock) Kay, Ron Langeman (Parks - Jasper), Steve Zacharuk, Lavi/rence Johns, Fred Schroeder, Maurice Verhaeghe, Harold Ganske, Laverne Larson Alberta Government, AFHPC Participants in the first Fire Behaviour Course given to Fire Control Officers and Technicians, Forest Technology School, Hinton, October, 1969 standing (L to R): Ken Janigo, Ben Shantz, Art Peter, Chuck Rattliff, Bob Diesel, Emanuel Doll, Del Hereford, Bert Varty, Lou Boulet, Jack Naylor, Colin Campbell, Bernie Simpson, Carson McDonald, Art Lambeth, Dick Mackie, Irv Allen, Norm Rodseth, Jim White (Parks), Irv Frew. Sitting: John Benson, John Booker, Joe Kirkpatrick, Len Allen, Ernie Ferguson, August Gatzke Alberta Government, AFHPC Forester Bill Fairless cruising in the Fox Creek area, 1970 Cliff Smith 1966 - 1984 Dale Huberdeau hauling 30 kegs of aviation gas (2400 lbs) for a timber management cruise to Clausen's Landing, 35 kilometres north of Fort McKay, Athabasca River, Athabasca Forest, September 26, 1970 Corrine Huberdeau Forest protection planning meeting at the Provincial Forest Fire Centre (Depot), Edmonton, early ISTOs (L to R): Joe Smith, Lome Goff, Carson McDonald, Hank Ryhanen, Dennis Cox, Bob Miyagawa, Dave Kiil (CFS), George Chrosciewicz (CFS), Art Peter Alberta Government, AFHPC Provincial Forest Fire Centre dispatch room, Edmonton, ig70s. Dispatchers Fred Schroeder and Mike Dubina Alberta Government, AFHPC Second Year NAIT Forestry Class, Forest Technology School, spring, 1970 Back Rovif (L to R): P. Michon, B. Fisher, D. Ryder, D. Ireland, K. Heemeryck, M. Posniak, B. Davidson, D. Laing, B. Chlan, R. Dixon, B. Prove, D. Krangnes, R. Woods, P. Wearmouth, R. Verhaeghe, E. Rutt, J. McQuarrie, B. Wilson. Front Row;: W. Patterson, B. Allen, R. Olsson, K. McCrae, K. Sampson, P. Stoochnoff, J. Halvarson, J. Gould, G. Christensen Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Fire Control Officers and Forest Superintendents at a fire control meeting, Forest Technology School, Hinton, 1970 Back Row (L to R): Not Identified, Cliff Henderson, Art Peter, Don Fregren, John Boolter, Bert Coast, Rex Winn, Hanl< Ryhanen. Third Row: Jacl( Macnab, Dicic Mackie, Del Hereford, August Gatzke, Mike Lalor, Chuck Rattliff, Not Identified, Bill Kostiuk Second Row: Ben Shantz, Bernie Simpson, Lou Boulet, Jack Naylor, Bernie Brouwer, Lou Babcock, Jack IVIacGregor, John Benson. Front Row: Chuck Geale, Bob Thachuk?, George Deans, John Morrison, Bert Varty, Peter Murphy (Instructor) Carson McDonald stated, "John Morrison was the Instructor i/c of Fire Control at FTS. John was a remarkable individual, who was a retired fire control person from the USFS. He was with us for a three to five year period and can be credited for being the impetus behind a major upgrade/updating to the Forest Service's fire control training program." Alberta Government, AFHPC Piles of pine cone sacks ready for loading and hauling to the provincial tree nursery. AFS staff would hire local people and firefighters to pick cones for future seed extraction and tree growing at the nursery. Worsiey Ranger Station, Peace River Forest, 1971 Glen Gache office collection Pine cone sacks loaded and ready to haul to the provincial tree nursery, Worsiey Ranger Station, Peace River Forest, 1971 Glen Gache office collection o anger Sta£t, -Ken porter ^^^15,^^^^^ on behalf of tne^ pgr- fonaUyth^^^VassUedinour co-operated^^ collect- successful tion. , , _,„e thousand, live A total of onej of hundred ^^^^^e coU^cted. pine cones ^^r^ ^e shipped P These f J'tU extraction to Edmonton for tn ^ of their se^ 'tored. In future . ^sftJ^^Si:?^"^^ ance.' ^.-^^^g^figt^^ Advertisement placed in the local newspaper by Rangers Ken Porter and Terry Van Nest, thanking people for their help In the collection of 1,520 bushels of pine cones, Worsiey Ranger Station, Peace River Forest, 1971 Glen Gache office collection 1966 - 1984 Oil spill from a Federated Co-op pipeline, Virginia Hills area, Whitecourt Forest, May, 1972 Jamie McQuarrie Slave Lake Forest Headquarters staff during the opening of the new Slave Lake office. Slave Lake Forest, 1971 Back Row (L to R): Dave Patterson, Dave Laing, Bruce MacGregor, Ted Cofer, Gordon Bisgrove, Dave Blackmore. Middle Row: Gerry Carlson, Gordon Brown, Dean Isles, Keith Branter, Rick Keller, Howard Townsend, Kevin Dewhirst, Keltie Wright, Bud Sloan. Front Row: Carson McDonald (Superintendent), Maurine Sprowl, Darlene Turenne, Lynn Cardinal, Marlene Gamble, Gloria Gatzke, Gemma Cere, Wendy Cooper, Norma Lund, Steve Radkevich Rick Keller Intermediate Fire Behaviour Course, Forest Technology School, HInton, March, 1972 Back Row (L to R): Harold Enfield, Ken McCrae, B. Fisher, Manse! Davis, Cliff Henderson, Bob Plankenhorn, M. Rose, E. Skjonsberg. Middle Row: Gary Dakin, Bud Sloan, Glen Sloan, Frank Jones, Ted Loblaw, B. Walburger, Brian Carnell. Front Row: O.J. (Hap) Schauerte, Don Sarafinchin, Karl Altschwagger, Ed Beebe, Bill Kostiuk, Ray Hill Alberta Government, AFHPC 1 University of Alberta Forestry students 2nd year Spring Camp, Forest Technology School, May, 1972 Back Row (L to R): J. Bruhn, B. Brodie, D. Phillips, V. Skalicky, R. Olson, J. Spencer, P. Gommerud, J. Hushagen. Fourth Row: A. Prelusky, H. Westgate, B. Allan, J. Hammond, E. Hotte, Keith Branter, J. Chittick, C. Newhouse. Third Row: Doug Sklar, B. Simpson, Rod Simpson, B. Olsen, D. Burr, T. Baines, B. Kwasny. Second Row: Dr. J. Schultz, M. Fulcher, A. Randall, C. Wilson, B. Schneider, G. Hoehne, D. Leblanc, J. Spencer. Front Row: Bill Gladstone, Instructor Jim Beck, J. DenHeyer, D. Pasiuk, G. Wray, C. Mellon Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Intermediate Fire Beliaviour Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, March 12-16, 1973 Fifth Row (L to R): Bob Strang, Jorn Thomson, Lou Foley, Roger LeCerf, Darryl Rollings, Terry Turner, Dan Slaght. Fourth Row: Doug Jourdie, Ian Tempany, Rick Hirtle, Floyd Schamber. Third Row: Al Sturko, Norman Olsen, Bob Petite, Tom Oliver, Wray Adams, Tom Trott, Graham Tyson. Second Row: Luther Ferguson, George Benoit, Tony Stuart, Mark Ross, Andrew Forbes, Glen Peterson. Front Row: Del Lee, Brian Cutrell, Don Podlubny, Pete Spencer, Gordon Graham, Rick Manwaring, Fred Anderson, Ed Stashko (Weather Section, Edmonton) Alberta Government, AFHPC Fire Boss I Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, April 16-20, 1973 Fifth Row (L to R): Greg Keesy, Wolfgang Richter, Jorn Thomson, Ron Boisvert. Fourth Row: Rick Keller, Rene Cunningham, Gordon Graham. Third Row: John IVIorrison (Instructor), Pat Hendrigan, Ian Tempany, Jim Stewart, Ray Frey, Graham Tyson. Second Row: Brian Cutrell, Gordon McClain, Neil Christensen, Bob Whittle, Dick Talbot. Front Row: John Auger, Allen Overholt, Marty Sader, George Evert, Eugene Caldwell, Cecil Cross Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 Crew Boss Course, Forest Technology School, HInton, April 24-28, 1973 Fifth Row (L to R): Ken Mulak, James White, Robert Shaeffer, Ray Kynoch. Fourth Row: Brian Harris, Don fVllcide, Michael Courtoreille, Chris Schober. Third Row: Fred Vermilion, John Tunke, Albert Lund, Philip Grey, Joe McKinnon. Second Row: George Hurrell, Rene Auger, Neil Holder, Rod Frazier. Front Row: John Morrison (Instructor), Henry Gladue, Bob Barker, Gerald Chamber, Don Clark, Gordon LaFleche, Lloyd Boucher Alberta Government, AFHPC Cat Boss Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, April 30 to May 4, 1973 Fourth Row (L to R): John Miller, Wes Beamish, Karl Domanski, Gary Horton. Third Row: Ray Alin, Fred Buker, Bill Mollings, Paul Overgaard, Jim Rollier. Second Row: Torchy Peden, Red M. Cuthbert, Mike Polak, Bill Loewen, Bill Polak, John Morrison (Instructor). Front Row: Harry Edgecombe (Instructor), D. Blakely, Charlie Schaeffer, Arden Erickson, Wayne Mayan, Gordon Cross, Daniel Ducharme Alberta Government, AFHPC Protection Technician Dale Huberdeau (L) and Forester Bob Grey, Fort McMurray Headquarters, Athabasca Forest, 1973 Alberta Government, AFHPC (L to R) Lou Babcock, Forest Superintendent; Oliver Glanfield, Land Use Officer; and Bernie Brouwer, Fire Control Officer, Fort McMurray Headquarters, Athabasca Forest, 1973 Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Fire Control Officers attending a IVIixmaster Course for the mixing, circulation, storage, delivery and loading of fire retardants onto the airtankers. This course later became part of the Alrtanker Base Managers Course. Slave Lake Airtanker Base, Slave Lake Forest, April 30 - May 4, 1973 (L to R): Ken Janigo, Fire Control Technician, Roclty IVIountain House; Lou Boulet, Fire Control Officer, Calgary; Bill Kostiuk, Fire Control Technician, Edson; Lome Goff, Fire Control Officer, Slave Lake; Len Allen, Fire Control Technician, Slave Lake; Ken South, Fire Control Technician, Peace River Alberta Government, AFHPC No luck in repairing Skidoo -on a sled and being towed. High Level District, Footner Lake Forest, winter, 1973-74 Kevin Freehill TM Crew members trying to repair Alpine Twin Track Skidoo, High Level District, Footner Lake Forest, winter, 1973-74. The Footner Lake Timber Management crew were doing reconnaissance cruising in the Peace valley, west of La Crete. Natural challenges faced were snow depth, ice pressure ridges and associated overflow on the river. Other challenges included keeping the Twin Tracks operational - they were prone to overheating and motor failure Kevin Freehill Recreation land use assessment of the Peerless Lake - Graham Lake area. Slave Lake Forest, June, 1974. (This planning assessment was a joint exercise between AFS Forest Land Use Multiple Use Planning staff. Fish and Wildlife staff and Parks staff.) Bottom Row (L to R): Cliff Lacey; Heather King, AFS FLU MUP; Dean Isles, Forest Officer I, Red Earth; Dell Guest, Fish and Wildlife Officer I, Slave Lake; Ray Lapitski, Forest Officer I, Red Earth; Ted Johnson, AFS (MUP) Biologist; Archie Landals, Parks Planner; Peter Eligh, AFS MUP Forester; Dennis York, Forest Officer II, Red Earth. Top Row: Ed Johnson, Forest Officer III, Slave Lake; Thomas Bellrose, Cook; Lou Foley, Land Use Officer, Slave Lake; Not Identified, Laborer Flunkey; Ken Wilson, MUP - Head MUP; Jim Skrenek, Chief Ranger Wabasca; Jim Smith, Parks; Paul Short, MUP Biologist; Gord Armitage, Head Forester, Slave Lake. Top, behind helicopter: Pilot Axel Porsild Lou Foley 1966 - 1984 L [97 Ranger John Branderhorst's 'Speeder Ticket' for the Northern Alberta Railway, 1975 John Branderhorst Form ^^ar"^ ^ , oral examinat>on base D before me """" Z,-—^ p^p"^ j;^s^fe^^-'E^^^^^ . Board of Trar^sportCo-nV-^^^^^ oral exarr^ination at ^ „ -ff i^us^ not exceed three , ^ ^ ^ ■ -4 Hank Ryhanen, Director of Forest Protection, Provincial Forest Fire Centre, Edmonton, 1976 Alberta Government, AFHPC 25th Anniversary gathering of the first 1951 Forestry Training School KFES class graduates, Forest Technology School, 1976 Back Row (L to R): Bill Bloomberg, Harry Edgecombe, Jack Macnab, Buck Rogers, Sandy Brown, Jim Hereford, Johnny Doonanco. Front Row: Eric Huestis, Bob Cosmock, Jim Clark, Vic Heath, Des Crossley, Mike Reap, Not Identified, Not Identified Alberta Government, AFHPC Attending 25th Anniversary gathering of the first 1951 Forestry Training School KFES class graduates. Forest Technology School, 1976 (L to R): Johnny Doonanco, Dexter Champion, Harry Edgecombe Alberta Government, AFHPC Fire Prevention Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, December, 1976 Back Row (L to R): Gordon Krassman, Not identified, Darryl Rollings, Ralph Oberg, Not Identified, Kevin Dewhurst, Doug Joudrey. Middle Row: Not Identified, Wayne Cole, Rick Manwaring, Ralph Woods, Walter Radowits, Otto Losel?, Randy Rawe. Front Row: Howard Gray, Len Wilton, Frank Lewis, Rick Stewart, Ross Graham, Dave Laing, John Graham, John McLevin. (Two of the not identified could be K. Owen and R. Desroches from NWT) Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Chief Ranger Dale Huberdeau assessing new Bombardier amphibious personnel carrier, Rainbow Lake District, Footner Lake Forest, ISTOs. First test- drive into the water and 'there it stayed' Corinne Huberdeau Alberta Forest Service staff providing fire protection duties during Queen Elizabeth ll's commemoration of Lac Cardinal Provincial Park, Peace River Forest, late 1970s (L to R): Garth Berg, Gary Dakin, Terry Van Nest, Bob Hilbert and Don Thompson Terry Van Nest Alberta Forest Service Northwest Cup Hockey Tournament at Nampa, Peace River - winning team, 1978. (Other teams Playing in tourney that year: Footner, Slave Lake and Grande Prairie) Front Row (L to R): Larry Berube, John Bradley, Paul Lannen, Tony Sikora, Derek Hanebury. Back Row: Frank Lewis, Gary Dakin, Garth Berg, Ken Baldry, Don McKeever, Lyall Gill Frank Lewis Transporting container seedlings by Bow Helicopters Bell 204 to a planting project in the Chinchaga River area. Peace River Forest, 1978 Dennis Driscoll 1966 - 1984 Chief Ranger Symposium, Forest Technology School, Hinton, December, 1978 Back Row (L to R): Ken Wheat, Robb; Owen Bolster, PFFC; Bud Sloan, Smith; Don Harvey, Grande Cache; Mag Steiestol, Blairmore; Wayne Robinson, Hinton; Dennis York, Red Earth. Middle Row: Wray Adams, Slave Lake; Dan Jenkins, Edson; Stan Clarke, Grovedale; Ted Loblaw, Rocky; Fred Kuipers, Cold Creek; Lou Foley, Beaver Lake; Bob Diesel, Swan Hills; Gary Giese, Fox Creek; Bob Glover, Wabasca. Front Row: Irv Allen, Turner Valley; Vic Hume, Ghost; Kelly O'Shea, High Level; Bill Bereska, Fort Vermilion; Ed Dechant, Whitecourt; Glen Sloan, Kinuso Alberta Government, AFHPC Firefighters hired to bag cones picked during a cone-picking project near Calling Lake Ranger Station, Lac La Biche Forest, 1979. Cones were being readied for transport to the Pine Ridge Forest Nursery Kevin Freehill Howard Gray (L), Forest Protection Officer Slave Lake and Dale Huberdeau, Fire Boss discussing strategies at the Saulteaux Airstrip base camp, Saulteaux Fire, Slave Lake Forest, 1979 Howard Gray Members of the Footner Lake timber management crew review maps and plot information. Fort Vermilion, Footner Lake Forest, 1979 (L to R): Wayne Becker, Stan Kavalinas, Mike Poscente Dennis Oriscoll Alberta Forest Service Time Officer Course, Forest Teclinoiogy School, Hinton, March, 1980 Front Row (L to R): Gord Baron (Instructor), Gerald Thorn, Susan Zimmerman, Ken Orich, Maxlne Lightfoot, Oarryl Johnson. Middle Row: Lowell Lyseng, Darryl Allsop, Peter Stoochnoff, Not Identified, Dave Laing. Back Row: Dave Schenk, Terry Smith, Bud Sloan, Doug Nichol, Wes Eror, James Metchoayeah Alberta Government, AFHPC ALBERTA FOREST I SERVICE ---aji-ia.-A*^'' Alberta Forest Service 50th Anniversary sticker Alberta Government, AFHPC Ranger Rob Thorburn at his regeneration survey camp. Fort Vermilion Ranger District, Footner Lake Forest, 1980 Rob Thorburn '1 1966 - 1984 W AFS Chief Rangers attend a Kepner Tregoe Management Seminar, Forest Technology School, Hinton, March, 1981 Back Row (L to R): Jurgen Moll, High Level; Philip Dube, Manning; Irv Allen, Turner Valley. Third Row: Ken South, FTS Hinton; Ed Dechant, Whitecourt; Gordon Japp, Cold Creek; Dennis York, High Prairie; Manse! Davis, Sundre; Gary Giese, Fox Creek; Bob Glover, Rocky Mountain House; Dan Jenkins, Elbow. Second Row: Ted Loblaw, Nordegg; Harold Dunlop, Beaver Lake; Don Harvey, Grande Cache; Kelly O'Shea, Swan Hills; Joe Burritt, Recreation Bow/Crow; Fred Kuipers, Valleyview; Bob Petite, Smith; Dave Brown, Spirit River. Front Row: Bill Bereska, Beaver Lake; Wayne Robinson, Hinton; Ken Wheat, Robb; Mag Steiestol, Blairmore; John Graham, Fort Vermilion; Dennis Cox, Slave Lake; Vic Hume, Fort McMurray; Dale Huberdeau, Rainbow Lake Alberta Government, AFHPC Hooking up the Water Buoy water bucket to the cargo hook and attaching the electrical cord on Bell 206 Jet Ranger JEL, Kananaskis Ranger Station, Canmore District, Bow Crow Forest, spring, 1981 (L to R): John MacAulay, Bruce Mayer, pilot Jim Lipinski Alberta Government, AFHPC Operational Cruise Compilation Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, April, 1981 Back Row (L to R): Kurt Wentzell, Brian Macintosh, Not Identified, Murray McDonald (Instructor), Dan Slaght. Front Row: Not Identified, Not Identified, Not Identified Alberta Government, AFHPC Forestry Caucus Committee tour. Lac La Biche Airtanker Base, early 1980s (L to R): Larry Huberdeau, LLB Forest Superintendent; Con Dermott, Director of Timber Management; Cliff Smith, Assistant Deputy Minister; Fred McDougall, Deputy Minister; Bud Miller, Associate Minister of Public Lands and Wildlife; Jack Campbell, MLA; Shirley Cripps, MLA; Not Identified; Frank Appleby, MLA Athabasca Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Helicopter Management Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, Feb-Mar, 1982 Back Row (L to R): Wayne Robinson, Darryl Rollings, Norm Olsen, Gary Schneidmiller, Dave Brown, Floyd Schamber, Mike Dubina, Ken Janigo. Third Row: Stan Olszowka, Dollard O'Connor, Ross Graham, Doug Ellison, Ted Cofer, Rob Thorburn, John Beraska, Mike Hancock, Herb DeMars. Second Row: Ken Porter, Conrad Bello, Keith Branter, Rick Bambrick, Ken McCrae, Phil Dube, Larry Warren, Jamie McQuarrie. Front Row: Russ Stashko, Wayne Bowles, Murray Doherty, Joe Smith, Don Welsh, Glen McPherson, Frank Nuspel, Ray Olsson Alberta Government, AFHPC Advanced Fire Behaviour Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, April, 1982. This inaugural course shaped fire behaviour training within Alberta Back Row (L to R): Marty Alexander (Instructor), Lou Foley, Brian Wudarck, Horst Rohde, Mike Thompson. Fourth Row: Dennis Cox, Gary Dakin, Terry Van Nest, John Branderhorst, Bob Hilbert, George Benoit. Third Row: Jurgen Moll, Don Law, Ken South, Irv Allen, Hylo McDonald, Dennis Quintilio (Instructor). Second Row: Chuck Rattliff, Bill Wuth, Ed Dechant, Don Harvey, Murray Doherty, Frank Nuspel, Bob Petite. Front Row: Gary Mandrusiak, Brian Meads, Ken Porter, Rob Thorburn, RickHirtie Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 :j Transporting seedlings by sling, with an Alberta Tree planters planting a cutblock in the Fort McMurray District, Athabasca Government Bell 206 (C-GFSA), Fort McMurray District, Forest, 1982 Athabasca Forest, 1982 Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Government, AFHPC Bruce MacGregor, Land Use Officer, handing out seedlings to students during the National Forest Week celebration. Slave Lake Forest, May, 1982 Sector Level Fire Suppression Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, fall, 1982 Back Row (L to R): Dennis Driscoll, Dale Asselln, Not Identified, Gerald Sambrooke. Third Row: Don Pope, Paul Bassendale, Gary Dudinsky, Jim Deitrich, Paul de Coursey, Russ DiFiore. Second Row: Greg Cunliff, Scott Hennigar, Norm Hawkes, John Hogue, George Panici, Dave Martel. Front Row: Kurt Wentzell, Gary Dolynchuk, Wes Eror, Not Identified, Glen Peterson? Alberta Government, AFHPC Alberta Forest Service Fire Prevention Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, December, 1982 Back Row (L to R): Rick Stewart, Joe Niederleitner (Instructor), Doug Ellison, Ted Gofer, Hugh Boyd. Third Row: Pat Hendrigan, Andy Gesner, Kurt Wentzel, Don Zwicker. Second Row: Frank Nuspel, Mansel Davis, Stew Walkinshaw, Glenn MacPherson. Front Row: Frank Lewis, Brian Stanton, Bill Black, Dennis Driscoll Alberta Government, AFHPC Division Level Fire Suppression Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, February, 1983 Back Row (L to R): Dennis York, Wayne Robinson, Rick Hirtle, Dennis Quintilio (Instructor - in back) Darryl Rollings, Tony Znak, Dave Bartesko. Third Row: Jurgen Moll, Don Welsh, Gary Dakin, Stan Clarke, Rick Smith, Leonard Kennedy. Second Row: Ken Porter, Chuck Rattliff, Ralph Woods, Dick Seamen, Ed Dechant, John Branderhorst, Jamie McQuarrie. Front Row: Leon Graham, Russ Stashko, Len Wilton, Ray Olsson, Wayne Cole, Mike Dubina, Not Identified (US Instructor) Alberta Government, AFHPC Helicopter Management Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, February, 1983 Back Row (L to R): B. Moerkoert (out of province). Rick Arthur, Brian Macintosh, Russ Braham, Rod Simpson, Craig Quintilio, Bob Yates. Third Row: Brian Wudarck, Gord Graham, Don Podlubny, Terry Kennedy (NWT?), Gary Mandrusiak, Rick Home, Jorn Thomsen. Second Row: Chris Hale, Bill Black, John Stepaniuk, Fred Schroeder, Dennis Halladay, Barry Gladders, Brian Meads. Front Row: John Hogue, Ken Orich, Dave Redgate, Brian Cutrell, Bill Kostiuk, Don Pope, Bruce Cartwright Alberta Government, AFHPC 1966 - 1984 First Rappel Training and Certification Course, Forest Technology School, Hinton, April, 1983 Back Row (L to R): Dennis Sanregret, Dean Richards, Todd Poprosl -5 D CD D 2003- 04 2004- 0539 Minister Mike Cardinal David Coutts Deputy Bob Fessenden Brad Pickering ADM Strategic Forestry Initiatives'^ Howard Gray Howard Gray ADM Forest Protection Cliff Henderson Cliff Henderson ADM Public Lands and Forests Division Craig Quintiiio Craig Quintiiio ADM Fish & Wildlife Division Ken Ambrock Ken Ambrock ADM Strategic Corporate Services Stew Churlish Stew Churlish End Notes " L. C. Charlesworth was appointed Acting Deputy Minister October 1, 1930; John Harvie was appointed Director of Provincial Lands October 6, 1930. John Harvie was subsequently appointed Acting Deputy Director of Lands and Mines January 2, 1931. John Harvie was later appointed Deputy Minister of Lands and Mines November 26, 1931. 1 Hutchison enlisted in WW II - Huestis named Acting Director to replace Hutchison during WW II ^ Tony Earnshaw was hired in 1942 when the first radios were introduced for AFS communications * Frank Neilson retired - had previously been Timber Inspector at Westlock ^ J. A. Hutchison resigned to become Superintendent of Banff National Park, later Director of Parks in Ottawa. Eric Huestis was listed as Fish & Game Commissioner in the Annual Report Jack Janssen was promoted from Superintendent of the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve ^ There was no Assistant Director of Forestry listed ^ Reg Loomis was a forester hired to take charge of the first forest inventory that had been initiated by Huestis Herb Hall was promoted from Forest Superintendent in Rocky Mountain House ^° Jack Janssen retired, became a Timber Buyer for North Western Pulp and Power before retiring again " Ted Hammer was promoted from Forest Superintendent in Grande Prairie Frank Piatt was promoted in 1954 from Timber Inspector at Entwistle to Assistant in Forest Protection, retired 1974 - major contributor to the Forest Protection program " AFS Radio was transferred to Alberta Government Telephones, Earnshaw moved as Consultant until retirement Bob Steele was among the foresters hired by Huestis in 1949, served in Forest Surveys then Forest Superintendent in Rocky Mountain House Reg Loomis retired to his farm at Sandy Lake, west of Morinville " Forest Surveys became part of the Forest Inventory Section and was transferred to the Timber Management Branch under Fred McDougall Forest Land Use elevated to full Branch status, staff largely from Forest Surveys, first branch head Gordon Smart 1^ The Construction section was transferred to the Department of Public Works in July 1971 John Wagar was Senior Instructor at FTS, was appointed Head in 1973 and died of a coronary condition shortly after. He was active in planning the new school buildings, and the Gymnasium was named after him in recognition of his contributions ^° Was a section under the T/M Branch until being formed as its own branch under Con Dermott in 1977 ^1 Forestry Training School was renamed to the Forest Technology School in the fall of 1965 Forest Surveys moved to Forest Land Use Branch from Timber Management C.B. (Cliff) Smith was appointed in January 1981 Alberta Forest Service ADM Strategic Corporate Services Stew Churlish Stew Churlish Stew Churlish Don Fregren was Director of Program Coordination Branch from August 1984 to August 1985 Fred McDougall retired, later becoming Vice-President for Weyerhaeuser Alberta operations The Forest Research section became a part of both the Timber Management and Reforestation and Reclamation Branches During the 1992 reorganization the Alberta Forest Service was renamed to Land & Forest Service. From 1993 - 1995 changes were made to reduce the 10 Forests and 40 Districts to 6 Regions and 24 Districts and eventually to 18 Districts. (In August 1996 Fort Vermilion became part of Upper Hay / High Level District bringing the number down to 17) The Forest Technology School name was changed to the Environmental Training Centre Cliff Smith retired and became a Consulting Forester ^° Don Fregren retired May 1993. Murray Anderson acting until branch moved to Timber Management Branch Forest Land Use and Reforestation & Reclamation Branches were rolled under the Timber Management Branch as of May 1993. The new division was called Land and Forest Services. This was the end of the name Alberta Forest Service. The Program Support Branch was amalgamated within the Land Administration Branch under Craig Quintilio The Ecological Landscape Division was created on May 4, 1999 to lead Integrated Resource Management. This was in response to Premier Klein and Cabinet's endorsement of the 'Alberta's Commitment to Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management' policy document Doug Sklar was appointed Director of Forest Management Division on June 1, 1999 Howard Gray became Executive Director of the Forest Products Branch of Economic Deveopment in March 1998. This program was then transferred to Resource Development, Department of Energy in 1999. The Department of Sustainable Resource Development was created on March 15, 2001 from components of three ministries - Environment, Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, and Resource Development The Environmental Training Centre name changed to the Hinton Training Centre and was transferred to the Forest Protection Division In July 2003 the Strategic Forestry Initiatives Division was created under the direction of Howard Gray Provincial election held November 2004 and Minister Coutts appointed as new minister of Sustainable Resource Development Directors of Forestry and Division Heads 1930 - 2005 ALBERTA FOREST SERVICE Executive and Forest Superintendents C -2 I 1 ^ D S ^3^2 Director Chief Timber Inspector (EFRD) 1930-3r T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson 1931-32^ T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson Cypress Hills H.A. Parker G. Ambrose Crowsnest Bow River J. P. Alexander J.A. Hutcfiison/A.G. Smith J. P. Alexander A.G. Smith Clearwater E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis Brazeau C.E. White C.E. White/ RG. Edgar Director Chief Timber Inspector (NAFD) Cypress Hills Forest Reserve Bow-Crow Forest Clearwater Forest Brazeau-Athabaska Forest (Coalspur) Edmonton (Breton) kdsion; 1932-33 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson^ G. Ambrose A.G. Smith J.P. Alexander F.G. Edgar R.S. Wyllie htDr 1933-34 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose A.G. Smith J.P. Alexander RG. Edgar R.S. Wyllie idEig 1934-35 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose A.G. Smith J.P. Alexander FG. Edgar R.S. Wyllie tured vesar 1935-36 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose J. P. Alexander F.G. Edgar J.R.H. Hall R.S. Wyllie AFS Restruc Forest Reser 1936-37 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose J. P. Alexander F.G. Edgar A.G. Smith J.R.H. Hall (Edmonton) 1937-38 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose J.P Alexander F.G. Edgar R.S. Wyllie J.R.H. Hall 1938-39 T.F. Blefgen F.W. Neilson G. Ambrose J.P Alexander F.G. Edgar R.S. Wyllie (E. Huestis^) J.R.H. Hall 1l j 8 o o > ■H "ffi vin 1939- 40 1940- 41 Director TR Blefgen TR Blefgen Chief Timber Inspector RW. Neilson RW. Neilson Cypress Hills Forest Reserve G. Ambrose G. Ambrose Bow-Crow Forest Reserve J.P. Alexander RG. Edgar Clearwater Forest Reserve RG. Edgar J.R.H. Hall Brazeau-Athabaska (Coalspur) C. McDiarmid (E.Huestis) C. McDiarmid Western Division^ C. McDiarmid C. McDiarmid c o 13 01 anc ^ x" id Mil ured, ( Lands ai 5 restruct tnent Distri Depart Forest 1 Director Chief Timber Inspector (NAFD) Cypress Hills Bow-Crow Clearwater Brazeau-Athabaska Edmonton/Breton 1941-42 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson TD. Best RG. Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck H.E. Noble 1942-43 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson TD. Best RG. Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck H.E. Noble 1943-44 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson J.D. Champion RG. Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck TR Somers 1944-45 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson J.D. Champion J.P Alexander & R Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck TR Somers 1945-46 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson J.D. Champion J.P Alexander & R Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck TR Somers 1946-47 TR Blefgen RW. Neilson/ J.L. Janssen R. Mackey J.P Alexander & R Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck^" J. Burleigh 1947-48 Blefgen/Huestis J.L. Janssen R. Mackey J.P Alexander & R Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck J. Burleigh 1948-49 E.S. Huestis J.L. Janssen" R. Mackey J.P Alexander & R Edgar J.R.H. Hall D. Buck R. Smuland Alberta Forest Service Athabasca Lesser Slave Forest Reserve T.C. Burrows J.R.H.Hall T.C. Burrows J.R.H. Hall j Athabasca Bonnyville McMurray Slave Lake" Grande Prairie 1 Peace River ■ J.R.H. Hall Axsel Smith D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald C.H. MacDonald D. Buck D. Minchin J.R.H. Hall C. Ranche D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald C.H. MacDonald D. Buck D. Minchin J.R.H. Hall C. Ranche D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald C.H. MacDonald F.S. Truby C. Mc Diarmid J.R.H. Hall C. Ranche D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald C.H. MacDonald D. Buck RE. Smith R.S. Wyllie C. Ranche D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald D. Buck V. Mitchell RE. Smith R.S. Wyllie C. Ranche D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald D. Buck V. Mitchell RE. Smith R.S. Wyllie RE. Smith D.A. McKay H.D. McDonald D. Buck V. Mitchell C. Ranche Edson Division McMurray Division Slave Lake Division Peace River Division C. McDiarmid H.D. McDonald* D. Buck V. Mitchell C. McDiarmid H.D. McDonald* J.L. Janssen V. Mitchell* Carrot Creek/ Entwistle Athabasca/Westlock' Aihabasca^aiHng"" Lake McMurray (Lac La Biche HQ) Slave Lake Grande Prairie Peace River D. Buck H. Morden RE. Smith C. Carter T.R. Hammer J.L. Janssen H.D. McDonald L. West D. Buck H. Morden RE. Smith C. Carter T.R. Hammer J.L. Janssen H.D. McDonald V. Mitchell D. Buck H.E. Noble RE. Smith C. Carter J.V. Logan J.L. Janssen T.R. Hammer V. Mitchell D. Buck H.E. Noble RE. Smith C. Carter J.V. Logan J.L. Janssen T.R. Hammer V. Mitchell D. Buck H.E. Noble RE. Smiths C. Carter J.V. Logan J.L. Janssen TR. Hammer V. Mitchell H.E. Noble J.D. Rogers W.M. Wood/R.R Krause C. Carter RV. Keats/L.R Gauthier J.L. Janssen/ W.M. Wood TR. Hammer V. Mitchell H.E. Noble C.R Piatt Whitecourt R.R Krause C. Carter L.P Gauthier W.M. Wood TR. Hammer V. Mitchell H.E. Noble C.R Piatt R.R Krause C. Carter L.R Gauthier W.M. Wood TR. Hammer V. Mitchell Executive and Forest Superintendents 1930 - 2005 O C u S ^ o. iJ ■!« ;S 5 o) « Director Crowsnest Bow River Clearwater Rocl(y^^ Edson Whitecourt 1 P AlpvanHpr — Sr. Supt. of Forest Reserves 1949-52^= 1949-50 E.S. Huestis F. Edgar L. west 1 D U Uoll J.H.H. Hall R. Smuland D. Bucks H Parnall 11. ran lull R.R Krause 1950-51 E.S. Huestis N. Lind L. West FV. Keats R. Smuland D. Buck& H Parnall n. rdl 1 Idll R.R Krause 1951-52 E.S. Huestis N. Lind L. West RV. Keats R. Smuland D. Buck& H. Parnall R.R Krause 1952-53 E.S. Huestis N. Lind L. West F.V. Keats R. Smuland D. Bucks H. Parnall R.R Krause 1953-54 E.S. Huestis N. Lind S.R. Hugiies RV. Keats R. Smuland D. Bucks H. Parnall R.R Krause 2- II i'i I II 1954- 55 1955- 56 1956- 57 1957- 58 1958- 59 1959- 60 1960- 61 1961- 62 1962- 63 1963- 64 1964- 65 1965- 66 1966- 67 1967- 68 1968- 69 1969- 70 1970- 71 1971- 72 1972- 73 1973- 74 Director E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis E.S. Huestis Director R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele Crow N. Lind N. Lind/J. Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan J.R Hogan Crow J.R Hogan G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth Merged w/ Bow^" L.R Gauthier Bow S.R. Hughes S.R. Hughes/ RV. Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats Bow RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats RV Keats L.R Gauthier L.R Gauthier L.R Gauthier L.R Gauthier L.R Gauthier L.R Gauthier Clearwater RV Keats RV Keats / N. Lind R.G. Steele R.G. Steele R.G. Steele Steele/ G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth Rocky-Clearwater" G.A. Longworth RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland RE. Sutherland Roclcy (Asst. Supt) H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen R. Sund R.Sund/ N. Gilliat N.W.W. Gilliat N.W.W. Gilliat N.W.W. Gilliat N.W.W. Gilliat Edson H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen J.E. Benson J.E. Benson J.E. Benson J.E. Benson J.E. Benson J.E. Benson Edson D. Buck D. Buck D. Buck H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen H.M. Ryhanen Whitecourt R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause D.H. Fregren (Oct. 1969) D.H. Fregren D.H. Fregren D.H. Fregren Dick Radke (Dec. 1,1972) Dick Radke Whitecourt R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause R.R Krause Lac La Biche W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast W. E. Coast Alberta Forest Service Lac La Biche Slave Lake Grande Prairie Peace River Edm - Breton Edm - Entwistie Calling Lake - Athabasca W.E. Coast W.M. Wood T.R. Hammer L.R Gauthier R. Smuland C.F. Piatt J.D. Champion W.E. Coast W.M. Wood T.R. Hammer L.P Gauthier R. Smuland C.R Piatt J.D. Champion W.E. Coast W.M. Wood T.R. Hammer L.R Gauthier R. Smuland C.R Piatt J.D. Champion W.E. Coast W.M. Wood T.R. Hammer L.R Gauthier R. Smuland C.R Piatt J.D. Champion W.E. Coast W.M. Wood TR. Hammer L.R Gauthier R. Smuland H.M. Ryhanen J.D. Champion Lac La BIclie Slave Lake Grande Prairie Peace River 1 W.E. Coast W.M. Wood R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W.E. Coast W.M. Wood R. Smuland L.R Gauthier W.E. Coast W.M. Wood R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W.E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W.E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W. E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W. E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.R Gauthier W. E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.P Gauthier W. E. Coast W.J. MacGregor R. Smuland L.P Gauthier Athabasca (FL McMurray)'" Slave Lake Grande Prairie Peace River Footner Lake^^ N.W. Gilliat R. Smuland L.P Gauthier L.G. Babcock N.W. Gilliat R. Smuland L.P Gauthier LG. Babcock N.W. Gilliat R. Smuland L.P Gauthier L.G. Babcock N.W. Gilliat R. Smuland L.P Gauthier H.R. Winn L.G. Babcock N.W. Gilliat R. Smuland Dick Radke H.R. Winn L.G. Babcock H.R. Winn R. Smuland Dick Radke H.R. Winn LG. Babcock H.R. Winn R. Smuland Dick Radke C.H. Geale L.G. Babcock H.R. Winn R. Smuland Dick Radke C.H. Geale L.G. Babcock H.R. Winn R. Smuland Dick Radke C.H. Geale L.G. Babcock H.R. Winn D.H. Fregren (Jan. 1,1972) G.A. Longworth C.H. Geale L.G. Babcock H.R. Winn D.H. Fregren G.A. Longworth C.A. Dermott Executive and Forest Superintendents 1930 - 2005 Director/ Asst. Deputy Minister^^ Bow-Crow Rocky-Clearwater Edson Whitecourt Lac La Biche 1974-75 F.W. McDougall P A normntt b.M. UcllllUlL (Sept. 1974) FE. Sutherland J.E. Benson Dick Radke W.E. Coast ources 1975-76 F.W. McDougall C.A. Dermott FE. Sutherland J.E. Benson Dick Radke W.E. Coast ral Res Its 1976-77 F.W. McDougall C.A. Dermott FE. Sutherland J.E. Benson Dick Radke W.E. Coast Natu) tendei 1977-78 FW. McDougall J.E. Benson FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth (May 1,1977) Dick Radke LG. Huberdeau (Oct .1977) / and penni 1978-79 ADM J.A. Brennan J.E. Benson FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth Dick Radke L.G. Huberdeau 1979-80 J.A. Brennan J.E. Benson FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth Dick Radke L.G. Huberdeau irtment of Ei 3ts and Fores 1980-81 J.A. Brennan A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson (May 15, 1980) L.G. Huberdeau 1981-82 J.A. Brennan A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson L.G. Huberdeau Dep. Fores 1982-83 J.A. Brennan A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson L.G. Huberdeau 1983-84 J.A. Brennan A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson L.G. Huberdeau 1984-85 J.A. Brennan A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson L.G. Huberdeau 2 inds and V Ltendents tnent of Forestry, and Forest Supe Depart Forests 11 is C T3 a. oj ADM Forestry" Bow-Crow Rocl(y-Clearwater Edson Whitecourt 1985-86 C.B. Smith A.J. Peter FE. Sutherland N.R. Rodseth/ W. Fairless C.J. Henderson 1986-87 C.B. Smith A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless C.J. Henderson 1987-88 C.B. Smith A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless C.J. Henderson 1988-89 C.B. Smith A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless C.J. Henderson 1989-90 C.B. Smith A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless G. Bisgrove (Jan. 1989) 1990-91 K.O. Higginbotham A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless G. Bisgrove 1991-92 K.O. Higginbotham A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless G. Bisgrove 1992-93 K.O. Higginbotham A.J. Peter Lome Goff W. Fairless G. Bisgrove Assistant Deputy Minister Land & Forest Service Bow-Crow Rocl(y-Clw. Edson ^^^^^ Whitecourt 1993-94 K.O. Higginbotham A.J. Peter Lome Goff Bill Fairless Gordon Bisgrove 1994-95 K.O. Higginbotham Kelly O'Shea (April 94) Lome Goff Bill Fairless Gordon Bisgrove (April 95) Lac La Biche L.G. Huberdeau /B.Ward B. Ward B. Ward B. Ward B. Ward B. Ward B. Ward B. Ward Lac La Biche Brydon Ward Brydon Ward Assistant Deputy Minister Land & Forest Service ■ucturii 1995-96 C.J. Henderson (July 95) Re-str 1996-97 C.J. Henderson tment 1997-98 C.J. Henderson Depar 1998-99 C.J. Henderson Southern East Slopes Region (Rocky Mountain House) Lome Goff/Patrick Guidera (Jan. 96) Patrick Guidera Patrick Guidera Patrick Guidera Parkland/Bow/Prairie Region (Created Oct. 1, 1998) Northern East Slopes Region (Whitecourt) Jerry Sunderland Jerry Sunderland Jerry Sunderland Jerry Sunderland Northwest Boreal Region (Peace River) Howard Gray (July 95) Howard Gray Howard Gray/Rory Thompson^' Dan Wilkinson ^ 1 Assistant Deputy Minister Land & Forest Service Southern East Slopes Region (Rocky Mountain House) Northern East Slopes Region (Whitecourt) Northwest Boreal Region (Peace River) 1999-00 C.J. Henderson Patrick Guidera Michael Poscente (May 1999) Dan Wilkinson/Ken McCrae Dow 2000-01 C.J. Henderson Patrick Guidera Michael Poscente Ken McCrae Alberta Forest Service Athabasca (Ft. McMurray) L.G. Babcock L.G. Babcock A.J. Peter (Mayl, 1977) A.J. Peter A.J. Peter L.D. Goff L.D. Goff/J. Skrenek (Jan 1,1981) J. Skrenek J. Skrenek J. Skrenek (Sept. 1984) W. Fairless Slave Lake H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn C.S. IVIcDonald (May 1977) C.S. IVIcDonald C.S. McDonald C.S. McDonald C.S. McDonald C.S. McDonald C.S. McDonald C.S. McDonald Grande Prairie C.B. Smith C.B. Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith Smith D.M. Timanson (March 1981) D.M. Timanson D.M. Timanson D.M. Timanson Peace River G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth G.A. Longworth L.G. Babcock (May 1,1977) L.G. Babcock/ A.J. Peter A.J. Peter LD. Goff LD. Goff LD. Goff L.D. Goff L.D. Goff Footner Lal(e (High Level) C.A. Dermott (Feb. 1,1974) N.R. Rodseth (Dec. 1974) N.R. Rodseth C.J. Henderson C.J. Henderson C.J. Henderson C.W. Leary C.W. Leary C.W. Leary C.W. Leary C.W. Leary Pine Ridge Forest Nursery H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn H.R. Winn Athabasca Slave Lake Grande Prairie Peace River Footner Lake Athabasca Gordon Armitage Gordon Armitage Slave Lake Howard Gray Howard Gray Northeast Boreal Region (Lac La Biche) B. Ward/N. Barker (June 96) Neil Barker Neil Barker Neil Barker jgH Grande Prairie Mort Timanson Mort Timanson Peace River Carl Leary Carl Leary (June 95) Footner Lake Jorden Johnston (Aug. 1993) Carl Leary Pine Ridge Forest Nursery W. Fairless H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary (1986) J. Johnston (1986) C.S. McDonald (Dec 1985) G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald G. Armitage H.W. Gray D.M. Timanson C.W. Leary J. Johnston C.S. McDonald Pine Ridge Forest Nursery C.S. McDonald Neil Barker (May 1,1995) PRortheast Boreal Region (Lac La Biche) Neil Barker Neil Barker ^ Executive and Forest Superintendents 1930 - 2005 ADM Forest Protection Division ADIVI Land & Forest Division 2001-02 C.J. Henderson; H.W. Gray Prairie-Bow-Parkland Region (Rocky IVIountain House) Patrick Guidera Nortliern East Slopes Region (Whitecourt) Michael Poscente Northwest Boreal Region (Peace River) Ken McCrae ADM Forest Protection Division ADM Land & Forest Division ADM Public Lands Division 2002-03 C.J. Henderson; H.W. Gray; J.C. Quintilio Southwest Region (Rocky Mountain House) Patrick Guidera Southeast Region (Calgary) Donnenic Ruggieri Northwest Region (Peace River) Ken IVlcCrae •II go 111 ffl ADM Forest Protection Division ADM Strategic Forestry Initiatives ADM Public Lands and Forests Division 2003-04 Cliff Henderson; Howard Gray; Craig Quintilio 2004-05 Cliff Henderson; Howard Gray; Craig Quintilio Southwest Region (Rocky Mountain House) Patrick Guidera David Christensen (Acting) Southeast Region (Calgary) Domenic Ruggieri Domenic Ruggieri Northwest Region (Peace River) Ken IVlcCrae Ken McCrae End Notes ^ Alberta assumed responsibility for natural resources, including forests, on 1 October 1930. For the rest of the fiscal year 1930-31, the former Dominion Forestry Branch organization was continued. There were then four Forest Reserves and the Edmonton Fire Ranging District. The Forest Reserves included the Lesser Slave Forest Reserve and the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve which comprised five Forests: Crowsnest, Bow River, Clearwater, Brazeau and Athabaska. Two smaller Forest Reserves, Cooking Lake and Cypress Hills were run as ranger districts. The rest of the forested area lay within the Edmonton Fire Ranging District (EFRD). 2 In the spring of 1931 the Alberta Forest Service (AFS) took over responsibility for the Prairie Fires Act from the Department of Agriculture. The entire province was then declared a Fire District, and new fire regulations were passed. This was to try to effect more unified control over the fire program. ^ In 1932 the administration and organization were restructured. Until this time, the AFS was responsible for all protection and timber on the Forest Reserves and protection on the EFRD. Timber berths were issued under authority of the Public Land Act and Timber Inspectors worked under the Lands Division to oversee timber sales and logging operations. Most Timber Inspectors were transferred to AFS in 1932 and AFS became responsible for timber as well. Under the new organization, the EFRD was renamed the Northern Alberta Forest District (NAFD, a title that would remain until 1956). The NAFD was divided into eight Divisions and a Timber Inspector was placed in charge of each. The Divisions were staffed by a sparse network of seasonal rangers. Administration of the Forest Reserves remained essentially the same. ^ Forest Reserve status for Lesser Slave was dropped in 1932, the former forest reserve was combined with other NAFD lands to form the Slave Lake Division. Frank Neilson was Chief Timber Inspector, a position in which he continued to be responsible for the Northern Alberta Forest District. This position later evolved to head of forest protection. He worked through a network of 8 Timber Inspectors whose positions later evolved to Forest Superintendents. In addition to the ones listed, D.A McKay held the position of Timber Inspector at Bonny ville/ Wasketanau from 1932 to 1954. ^ E.S. (Eric) Huestis noted during his interview that in 1938 and 1939 he was appointed Supervisor of the Brazeau- Athabaska Forest and moved to Edson. At that time headquarters of the combined forests was at Coalspur so he arranged to have it changed to Edson, which enabled more effective train connection with both the Coal Branch and main line to Hinton-Entrance. He likely worked through the two listed "Inspectors" during these years. He moved to Edmonton to be acting assistant director under Ted Blefgen when J.A. Hutchison enlisted. ^ The Western Division included Alder Flats, Winfield, Muldoon, Drayton Valley, Carrot Creek, Whitecourt and Fort Assiniboine. Peace River Division included the Grande Prairie area. The McMurray Division included Athabasca and Lac La Biche. McMurray was a forestry administrative centre during the pre-1930 Dominion days, so it was a logical site to choose in 1930 - headquarters changed to Lac La Biche in 1941. ^ Westlock was a forestry administrative centre for the DFB, and AFS until 1947 when headquarters was moved to Whitecourt. " F.E. Smith transferred to Bowden where he served as Timber Inspector until retirement in 1954. ^° There were 2 senior positions in Edson - D. Buck as Forest Superintendent of the Brazeau-Athabaska Forest, and H.E. Noble, Timber Inspector for the Edson Division, the area that lay outside the Forest Reserve. " J.L. (Jack) Janssen remained as Chief Timber Inspector in Edmonton, functioning as head of forest protection. His name is listed among the 'branch' heads on the separate list. The Eastern Rockies Forest Conservation Board (ERFCB) was set up in 1948 under federal and provincial acts to increase protection on the important watersheds of the South and North Saskatchewan Rivers. Policies and administration of the three southern Forests - Crowsnest, Bow River and Clearwater - were directed by a federal- provincial board. The previously combined Bow- Crow Alberta Forest Service IpNortheast Boreal f Region (Lac La Biche) Neil Barker Northeast Region (Lac La Biche) Neil Barker Northeast Region (Lac La Biche) Neil Barker Neil Barker Forest was again split into its original parts. The three Forests were each led by a Forest Superintendent. " Forest areas in the NAFD were headed by Timber Inspectors located at the locations identified. The forested lands to the east of the Clearwater Forest lay outside of the Forest Reserve so were not covered by the ERFCB. The Forest Superintendent at Rocky Mountain House also acted as head of what was called the Rocky Forest, for which an Assistant Timber Inspector, later Assistant Forest Superintendent was assigned. 15 When the three southern Forests were managed by the ERFCB, the Senior Forest Superintendent in Calgary supervised the three Forest Superintendents - in this case, J.P. (Jack) Alexander who was previously Superintendent of the combined Bow-Crow Forest held the position until he retired in 1952. The new organization was explained by Huestis in a memo to all field personnel dated 2 November 1953. He described that there wotild be 6 Divisions, each to be led by a Forest Superintendent. It was understood that the three southern Forests continued under the policy arrangement with the ERFCB. In addition, the Rocky Forest would be run by the Forest Superintendent at Rocl- u ■, away. The best way U »■> „a.ch is o.t before you throw .t^a 1. MATCHES Be --^Xhr^ have heads, but they cigarette sturnp. less dangerous to drop then, stamped out. This is the old forest ranger station on the Moberly District. Moberly Ranger Station was located on the Lower Trail - the pack trail from Entrance to Muskeg and Grande Cache. Moberly was about 22 miles along the trail - two days ride from Entrance. This trail linked the forestry cabins and rangers at Winter Creek, Wildhay River, Moberly, Cabin Creek and Muskeg. The original ranger station formed part of the Athabasca Forest Reserve managed by the Dominion Forest Service before the transfer of resources in 1930. , put it out. Larger fires Seven Rules for the Prevention of Forest Fires, AFS Museum, Hinton, 1980s 'Rocky Mountain John' Currat was a seasonal ranger with the Dominion and Alberta Forest Services from the 1920s until appointed to a permanent position in 1936, retiring in 1959. Currat came to the Hinton area in 1946 working the Rock Lake, Hay River and Moberly areas. John Currat was a resident of the Moberly Ranger Station cabin from 1950 until his retirement in 1959 This cabin was built in 1922-23 by Felix Plante and Louie Holmes. It was last used in 1959 when John Currat, who was District Ranger, retired from the Alberta Forest Service. John Currat later supervised the dismantling of the cabin in 1970 and its reconstruction of the Forest Technology School in Hinton in 1971, with the assistance of Junior Forest Ranger crews. The cabin has been restored as nearly as possible to its original condition Norman B. Nelsen, an employee of the Forest Surveys Branch from 1956 to 1974, constructed a model depicting a forest survey tent camp for a Lands and Forests conference in 1959. The model is a feature exhibit at the Alberta Forest Service museum. Shown here during the dedication of the model is (L to R): Frank Lewis, Chief Ranger, Hinton District; Bill Fairless, Superintendent, Edson Forest; and Bernie Simpson, Director, Forest Technology School. Mr. Nelson's widow Margaret was on hand to dedicate the model her husband built. May, 1989 AFS Museum History of Posters Series of fire prevention and resource management posters from 1930 to present. FOHEST I'lKE LAWS FOR THIS COUNTHY. Any one. or uny one tJiBt is with him, who lights Those toko miisl 00 and help pu . pay «5. (Siri.) B. H. CAMPBELL. Ad rC» -a > 7b crC A > /.PC >Q. vdc >r PC p A*? /-i^Vr" C»'.<3'P J. <1> A> &-3CLA-» >r ^<> P-' <3 ba. O 3CLA-' >r PC <^^'7' PC p n<^p<« ff-w rcc rc Q? fl.>-v,>>b^ bv,^>^ ZiTAV.' c>a.bU- r-'AV'' bV^' V 0.t.C"dC°7' PC P A rcc a3rbAa.<° Pc 6r^A4> pc <"c»a a'?' <3»vc~id PC p nC* Lr^aAb' Pc p^p-' CLOSED TO TRAVEL BECAUSE OF HAZARD PREVENT FIRES DEPARTMEMT OF LANQS AND FORESTS Alberta Forest Service WARNING TO SETTLERS AND OTHERS BURN YOUR BRUSH PILES DURING THE WINTER MONTHS NO BURNING PERMITS WILL BE ISSUED AFTER APRIL FIRST UNTIL CONDITIOHS ARE SAFE FOR SUCH BURNINC If you wish ip cultivate your land next sprins the brush piles must be burned tKU vnnter Persons responsible for the setting of fires without authority will be prosecuted to the hill limit of the law ItMOWOH, AlBERTA MKEaW W tOKSni STAMP OUT FOneST FIRES GOVERNMENT o» SB DEPARTMENT o- ALBERTA LANDS > FORESTS MlNUTEi TO BURN f ORtST HMS IttllH' PROVINCE OF ALBERTA DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS do HOUR PART PREVENT FOREST FIRES PROVINCE OF DEPARTMENT OF LANDS AND FORESTS GOVERNMENT o> DEPARTMENT o' ALBERTA LANDS « FORESTS History of Posters USE YOUR ASHTRAY GOVERNMENT of fc*^ DEPARTMENT o> ALBERTA LANDS » FORESTS KEEP ALBERTA GREEN GOVERNMENT < ALBERTA PREVENT FOHBST fltiSS GOVERNM ALBER DEPARTMENT of LANDS s FORESTS PRgVeMTFIRt DEPARTMENT or LANDS ■ FORESTS GOVERNMENT ■ ALBERTA DEPARTMENT of LANDS « FORESTS iMBRUSHBURmm UMDinmm GOVERNMENT of DEPARTMENT of ALBERTA LANDS » FORESTS CARELESS PEOPLE GOVERNMENT ALBERTA DEPARTMENT o. LANDS « FORESTS 100 YEARS TOGmiA&UN LANDS « FORESTS PLEASE PREVENT EROSION GOVERNMENT of DEPARTMENT of ALBERTA LANDS » FORESTS Alberta Forest Service History of Posters