dried out roots or peat bogs, breaking out again when fanned by the wind. The entire horizon over the Gulf of St. Lawrence was filled with dense smoke. The visibility on the roads in the burning areas was nearly zero. As darkness fell, billowing clouds of smoke several hundred feet high, became luridly illuminated by the reflection of the fires beneath. They could be seen at a distance of between 40 and 50 miles. Some potato and grain fields were destroyed. Farmers were hastily harvesting their grain in an effort to save it. A team of horses and two cows were rescued from a burning pasture field. Hundreds of acres of woodland, an automobile and many homes, barns and other buildings were destroyed. A tank truck and pump operated by the Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources wetted down houses that were threat¬ ened. On August 29, the Canadian Legion at Ellerslie opened the Legion Home to receive homeless people. The Parish Hall at Wellington was also open for them, and some went to private homes. Hon. Henry Wedge , Provincial Minister of Welfare, and Dr. O.H. Phillips , MP visited the area, helping to organize fire fighting services and to obtain equipment. On August 30, the entire membership of the Provincial Cabinet headed by Premier Walter Shaw went to the disaster area. On the following day, the Premier, accompanied by Hon. Philip Matheson , Minister of Highways, Gordon White , Deputy Minister of Highways and Hon. Henry Wedge made an aerial survey in an RCAF aircraft. Premier Shaw said it was a terrible scene. The Ellerslie Legion Home became headquarters for the whole firefight- mg operation. In the basement, the main area was a dining room. Meals were served continuously and sent to the fire fighters in the woods. Also in that area, telephones were manned night and day. The Ladies Auxiliary of the Legion, assisted by other women and girls prepared food. A new well was drilled to provide additional water for the kitchen. The upper floor of the Legion Home was covered with cots and mat¬ tresses where weary fire fighters could catch some sleep. Many people offered their homes as sleeping quarters for fire fighters. Large donations of food were received from all over the province. Tanks of hot stew and lunches were sent from the at . At Foxley River , hot meals were served continuously in the Parish Hall. Chapter Four ~ Moving On 99