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Page 8 TERRACE BAY/SCHREIBER NEWS| Wednesday, August 16, 1989 Thanks Coach! For taking 'more phone calls in one day than most people getina month. YEAR | LANNEE OF THE | DE COACH | L'ENTRAINEUR Smokey the fire hating bear entrenched anti-fire sentiment By Norm Gladish MNR Fire Prevention Technician For many people, fire is at once terrifying and fascinating. But all fires are not the same. Fire that destroys a house is tragic because of the loss - a home can- not rebuild itself. In contrast, a wildfire may not be a bad thing. Not only will a forest replace itself, but in the case of Jackpine, the cones require heat to open and release seeds. Of course, much time will pass before trees are renewed. At first, a lush, diverse growth of grasses, wild flowers, weeds and shrubs will predominate. This natural "event is known as 'plant succes- sion'. News media often obscure this fact, in attempt to report the sen- sational.,Thus, headlines may read: "Thousands of hectares lost to wildfire", when in reality no land is ever destroyed. Most ani- mals, especially birds, escape. The change brought on by fire actually increases habitat for many species. Why all the hype against wild fire then? Part of the answer lics in our history. In the carly days of the North American settlement, fire was often a terrible adversary. Pcople had no hope of extin- guishing forest fires. Values such as homes or crops were often lost, as was human life. As our technology improved, we slowly became proficient at fire suppression. It made sense to extinguish fire to protect econom- ic values such as trees, homes and farms. But mostly it made sense to put out wild fires because everyone knew they were bad. Anti-fire sentiment became entrenched as generations grew up with Smokey, the fire-hating _ Only you can prevent fores ? Child's vaccination before school a must ONTARIO MARCH | m af OF DIMES /y7 TOWNSHIP OF SCHREIBER PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT | TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Schreiber will hold a public meeting on September 11, 1989, at 7:00 p.m., at the Municipal Office (608 Winnipeg Street), to consider a proposed official plan amendment under section 17 of the Planning Act. The proposed official plan amendment would allow "Office Space" to be a permitted use in the Township of Schreiber Highway Commercial Designation. The proposed change will affect all areas designated as Highway Commercial along Highway 17, in the Township of Schreiber, as designated on Schedule "A" to the Official Plan. ANY PERSON may attend the public meeting and/or make written or verbal representation either in support of, or in opposition to, the proposed official plan amendment. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed official plan amendment is available for inspection between 9:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. at the Municipal Office. te Qe DATED AT Big || SCHREIBER THIS 4TH DAY OF AUGUST, 1989 Highway Commercial The prevention of infectious diseases is one of medicine's great contributions. These diseases are measles, diphtheria, polio (infantile paraly- sis), Rubella (German measles), mumps, pertussis (whooping cough), and tetanus (lockjaw). While these diseases can be mild, they can also be serious and even fatal. Because young chil- dren are at the greatest risk, health experts have determined that immunization should take place early in life, during the preschool years. The following schedule rec- ommends at what age a child should receive the appropriate vaccine: 2, 4, and 6 months, DPT Polio (Diphtheria, Pertussis, Tetanus, Poliomyclitis); 12 months, MMR (Measles, mumps, rubella); 18 months and at 4-6 years, a booster of DPT Polio. Within a few months after birth, your child has lost his * mother-given immunity and a vaccine helps a baby acquire a more lasting protection against disease. A doctor or qualified héalth professional administers an absorbed vaccine into the muscle of the thigh or upper arm. . The vaccine contains tiny amounts of disease causing organisms which cause the body to respond by producing "anti- bodies" to fight the disease and build up a protection against infection. Though safe and highly effective, a vaccine may cause mild side effects such as a slight fever, rash or soreness at the site bear. On a small scale, all of this is commendable. What was not easily seen is that long-term prevention of wild- fire eventually allows the creation of continuous and mature to over- mature forests over large areas. This provides prime fuel for big fires including dead and fall- en trees littering the forest floor. When these forests do catch fire in a drought year, the result can be a fire storm beyond man's con- trol. Another disadvantage is that where fuels have accumulated, fires can burn hotter with higher temperatures and deeper burning. This can sterilize the soil by destroying sceds, humus and micro-organisms that induce healthy plant growth. The longer a forest exists without a burn, the more likely . the possibility of fire becomes, and the worse it will be. One way to reduce fuel loads in an ecologi- cally balanced way is to allow some vegetation to bum periodi- cally. Ground fires of low intensity are not harmful to trees and help maintain varied plant communi- ties bencficial to wildfire. This is the essence of the "let-burn" poli- cy followed in many wilderness parks. Not only ecologically wise, it can save millions of dollars in fire suppression costs. Fire is not necessarilya bad thing. The crucial factor is con- trol. Whether in our homes or in the forest, controlled fire can be powerful;uscfulttooli - nine of the injection for a brief dura- tion. On occasion, a more serious reaction may occur and you should then consult your physi- cian immediately. To protect the health of children, the Immunization of School Pupils Act was instituted in 1982. This Act requires children starting and attending school to be immunized against the infec- tious diseases, diphtheria, tetanus, Polio, measles, mumps and rubel- la. Exemptions to this law are accepted based on medical, reli- gious and conscientious reasons. In addition to these vaccines, children between 18 months and 5 years of age altending day car/nursery are required to have immunization against a bacteria producing meningitis. This vac- cine is called Haemophilus type b (Hib). The Thunder Bay District Health Unit must be advised of your child's immunization record prior to attending school in September of 1989. This may be done by visiting or tclephoning the Health Unit. Immunization is the best defence against disease for your children. It can prevent disability and even death. If you have any questions or concerns about immunization, contact the office of the Thunder Bay Health Unit nearest you. In this area, the TBHU office is located at 315 Scotia Strcct in Schreiber or call 824-2413.