YB2, this will be a good opportuntiy for you to improve and fine tune your cane straightening plus get a little help in the patience dept.
Make up bundles of 6 or so smae size canes and only work a few at a time.
Crooketarrow, heat guns are great as long as the electricity is on but for most of the Northeast that will be iffy. Candles, camping cook stoves or a gas kitchen range(what I use) will all work well.