Grass and Scrub Fires

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25388, 10 January 1948, Page 6

Grass and Scrub Fires

Although yesterday’s rain has temporarily checked the danger of grass and scrub fires vigilance should not be relaxed. Dry weather for another day or two will again leave pastures, scrub, and standing crops in just as great danger as

before from the carelessly dropped match or cigarette butt or from the camp fire left burning. The fires reported in yesterday’s issue of “The Press” did damage enough to a large area of property. Given the conditions favourable to the spread of fire, a great deal more damage could be done to property and, what is worse, human life could be placed in jeopardy. This danger has been emphasised over and over again in these columns and no apology is made for emphasising it once more. There are many ways in which fires can be started accidentally and without carelessness; but .when they are lit through some thoughtless act, there is no excuse; the results are too likely to be tragic. At this season everyone enjoying the outdoors should become fire-conscious; caution should be exercised at all times. Self-interest, if nothing else, will prompt it;. for the careless person may easily enough become the victim of his own thoughtlessness. It is a simple duty to be careful; callous or stupid to ignore it.