POSITION STILL CRITICAL

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24798, 12 February 1946, Page 4

POSITION STILL CRITICAL

MINISTER’S SURVEY

“BLACKENED DESOLATION” (P.A.) TAUPO, February 11. “Forest and scrub fires in the Taupo district are still in a critical stage,’ said the Commissioner of State Forests (the Hon. C. F. Skinner), who is. at present stationed at the fire-fighting headquarters established at the Spa Hotel, Taupp. . “As announced yesterday, the only extensive damage was that which occurred on Saturday, when between 15,000 and 28,000 acres of young exotic forests were destroyed. Both sides of the Waikato river, about 15 miles from Taupo township, were swept by fire, and the whole appearance of the countryside is one of blackened desolation. “Sunday was a day of strenuous firefighting, and as a result of the increased number of men thrown into the fight, only a small acreage of exotic forest was lost. Unfortunately, however, fire did break through yesterday into one large exotic forest, from .ach it was necessary to evacuate some residents, as well as to warn settlers still farther to the north that they must be all ready for immediate evacuation should conditions deteriorate. All to-day the position in these particular forests has been very critical, and the results are still in doubt. Another 200 men have been thrown into the fighting line, but the rough ground conditions in the forest have made it extremely difficult to bring the fire under effective control. Even now, on Monday night, still more men are being brought into the area in order to cope with the more difficult weather conditions forecast for tomorrow. “As in most fires of this nature the brunt of the fighting falls on the first comers, and only now’, after several days, has it proved practicable to provide regular reliefs for the first fighting squads. Some men were actually without sleep for 48 hours. Details of Organisation “Sufficient personnel are now available to allow most men reasonable relief from their strenuous work. Difficulties of transport, accommodation, and rationing have also been overcome, Our principal groups for the backbone of the fire-fighting organisation are the Army and Navy group, centred on Taupo, and comprising some 380 men. the fire brigade group, stationed at Wairahai Hotel, the New Zealand Forest Products group, including 300 men from the Public Works operations in Karapiro and Maraetai, and 200 men from Putaruru, centred on Atiamuri, and the Forest Service group of 100 men, centred on Kangaroa and Taupo. Though by far the smallest group, the fire brigade has proved invaluable in their guidance of other personnel, and had it not been for their efforts and equipment, including both fire trucks and trailers, there would have been serious loss of buildings at various points. Amongst the buildings saVed are the Wairahoi Hotel and others in that vicinity, as well as virtually the whole of Oruniua village, which was in serious danger for several days. “The most serious development today was the spread of a scrub fire towards the Kaingaroa State forest, originating on one of the private forest areas burnt over several days ago. This fire assumed ugly proportions early in the day, necessitating the organisation of a new fire-fighting group to protect the adjoining State forest. First travelling southwards, the fire gradually changed front as the wind changed from north to west, and while the fire fighters disposed along the State forest frontage were successful in arresting the fire as it struck their boundary, it is still threatening another private forest to the south. “The weather forecast for to-morrow is disquieting, but with the new personnel being contributed, both by the Army and the Public Works .Department. every hope is entertained of avoiding any large losses.”