[2]: 61–62 [3] Initially, most of the flying operations consisted of fire-spotting forestry patrols over the mountains and foothills to the west.

Of the early Canadian air stations, High River was the most active, with 215 flights flown on forest patrols.

[6] The most powerful radio transmitter in North America began operating from the High River Air Station in 1922.

[7] In 1922, sub-bases were established at Eckville and Pincher Creek at the northern and southern ends of the patrol routes.

Changes to the organization of the air stations were deferred to the fall to avoid administrative issues during the flying season.

None of these changes, nor the official formation of the Royal Canadian Air Force on 1 April 1924, substantially altered the role of the station.

[2]: 92–106 Late in 1924, five Avro 552 Vipers were delivered to replace the DH.4s on forestry patrol, with two of the latter type retained for the station's mobile photographic flight.

In July 1925, retroactive to 1 April, all the RCAF's civil operations stations were re-designated as numbered squadrons, with High River becoming No.

The following year, all photographic operations were re-organized as independent detachments reporting directly to Ottawa, and High River provided support to No.

That same year, a sub-station was established at Grande Prairie to enable the patrolling of the Peace River Country.

[2]: 212–214 [3][8] After jurisdiction for natural resource management was transferred to the Province of Alberta in 1930, fire towers were built and spotting aircraft were no longer necessary.