WIDE DAMAGE IN HAWKE'S BAY

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24797, 11 February 1946, Page 4

WIDE DAMAGE IN HAWKE'S BAY

FORESTS AND CROPS DESTROYED (P.A.) HASTINGS, Feb. 10. Widespread outbreaks of fire have blazed throughout Hawke’s Bay during the week-end as a climax to months of rainless weather and the consequent drying of pastures and other vegetation. Smoke from scores of fires, some big and* some small, obscures the sky. Exceptionally high winds prevailed yesterday afternoon and last night, and this added to the menace, as sparks were carried into tinder-dry vegetation and began fresh outbreaks. Thousands of country people, with improvised equipment, mainly wet sacks and beaters, were engaged for long hours fighting the flames and endeavouring to prevent their spread. The most serious loss was at AshleyClinton, where fire secured a hold yesterday afternoon, in a State forest in the foothiP.s of the Ruahine ranges. Two thousand acres of nearly-matured timber was lost by midnight,' it being impossible to control the blaze in the fierce wind. A further forestry area is in the danger zone but, with the wind in its present quarter, it is safe: Unless heavy rain falls there is no possibility of removing the menace entirely.

Half a crop of 160 acres of wheat on the Tiffen Estate, in the Elsthorpe district, which was almost ready to be harvested, was destroyed. Hutchinson’s Bush Scenic Reserve at Puketitiri was destroyed by a fire, which had been burning in that district for a fortnight. The reserve was among the most picturesque in the Dominion, and covered an area of 60 to 70 acres. Strenuous efforts saved the homestead of a Puketitiri settler, Mr W. Turner, from being burned.

The fire in the Puketitiri area is now being blown into the ranges, but, if the wind turns, Puketitiri township will be threatened.