TUSSOCK FIRES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 60, Issue 252, 1 August 1940, Page 2

TUSSOCK FIRES.

BIG GLENROY DISTRICT AREA.

(Special to the “Guardian.”) CHRISTCHURCH, This day

About 4000 acres of tussock country in the Glenroy district was burnt during the early part of the week in the biggest grass fire seen in the locality for 25 years. The outbreak is one of the biggest experienced in Canterbury for some time. . Beginning between the High Peaks Station and the Government reserve, at Windwhistle, the fire swept down the southern side of The Points hills, which are the termination of the Malvern hills. The fire started on Monday afternoon, and, fanned by a strong northwest gale, spread over a front of about two miles and burnt flown the slopes for about 10 miles, being finally checked between Glenroy and Whitecliffs. Since it was mainly native country, the loss is considered to be small, and it is believed that little stock was lost. Most sheep liad been brought down to the flat and put on turnips, and breaks in the fire are expected to have provided avenues of escape for small mobs on the hills. At one stage “The Peaks” homestead was endangered. The fire came within 100 yards of the woolslied, but firebreaks and a large number of firefighters were able to prevent the flames spreading in that direction. ON HILLS NEARI GERALDINE —— 1 ' GERALDINE, July 31. A tussock fire which swept over several thousand acres on the hills behind Geraldine during the last two days caused considerable anxiety to runholders, but no serious damage was done. A normal spring burning got out of control with a change of wind, and the fire spread over Nolans’, Neutze’s and Orari Gorge runs. The manager of Orari Gorge station (Mr J. M. Polhill )said that 5000 acres of tussock land on the station had been affected by the fire, which started on a neighbouring property. The fire* came down near the station, and made it necessary to remove sheep.