GRASS FIRE NEAR MOUNT PEEL

Press, Volume LXXXIV, Issue 25608, 24 September 1948, Page 8

GRASS FIRE NEAR MOUNT PEEL

SEVERAL HOMESTEADS THREATENED

AREA BURNT ESTIMATED AT UP TO 15,000 ACRES

From Our Own Reporter TIMARU, Sept. 23. Thousands of acres of snow grass and tussock on high-country sheep stations beyond Geraldine and south of the Rangitata river were swept by a fire which blazed yesterday and today. The fire spread to-day over a wide range of country in a southerly and easterly direction, and accurate estimates of the area burned were unprocurable, but figures up to 15,000 acres were mentioned. When the flames entered the 20,000acre Mount Peel station, occupied by Mr J. Acland for the Acland Estate, this morning, fears were held that the flames might race over the property into Peel Forest and thence down to the township. Desperate attempts were being made late this afternoon to prevent its spread by back-burning from Boundary creek up a rugged ridge facing the creek. Boundary creek is about 15 miles above Peel Forest. At that time there were reports of a big fire having developed on the adjacent Lochaber station, owned by Mr R. E. H; Beattie, to which fire fighters from the Mackenzie County Council had been called.

The urgent call for help was received by the Ashburton County Council’s office this afternoon, and two firefighting units were sent. The fire started on Stew Point station, owned by Mr Walter J. Taylor, yesterday morning. A fire started to burn off a swamp got out of control, and, fanned by a strong north-westerly wind, it soon spread to the neighbouring run of Coal Hill, owned by Mr A. A. Taylor. The homestead on Mr Taylor’s property was endangered, flames last night scorching pine trees close to the home. The home and outbuildings were saved only by the strenuous efforts of the fire fighters, who considered the save to be a very lucky one. Armed with bags for beating the flames, and carrying out back-burning, men from adjacent stations battled with the flames all yesterday, last night, and today. Members of the Geraldine County Council staff, under the foreman (Mr J. P. Kerr), and volunteers from Geraldine shops and offices joined the fighters last night in the steep valleys and on the ridges. After an all-night struggle by more than 10U men, during which the Coal Hill homestead was saved, by 8.30 o’clock this morning the fire seemed to be checked in the gully behind the homestead, adjoining Mount Peel station. Fresh Outbreak Most of the fighters returned to Geraldine, but scarcely had they arrived when a fresh alarm was sounded. Fanned by a stiff north-west wind, the fire had sprung up again. Until early this afternoon efforts were made to check the outbreak on the ridge adjoining Mount Peel, but the fierceness of the wind defeated the fighters. Under the supervision of Mr C. J. Kerr (fire officer of the South Canterbury Catchment Board) and Mr C. C. Knight (superintendent of the Geraldine Fire Brigade), the fighters moved about 2 o’clock down the road to Boundary creek, where they burnt back up a rugged ridge overlooking the creek and along the roadside back toward the Coal Hill homestead. Stock losses so far are believed to be relatively light, as with the co-operation of musterers from neighbouring runs at the first indications of danger, sheep and cattle were moved to safety. At an early hour this morning musterers were busy moving stock from Mount Peel in case fire should sweep across the station. . The fighters were enveloped in smoke and had to move quickly on occasions to evade the flames. While there were no official reports of casualties, there was a rumour that a lone horseman who went out last night to round up stock had not been seen since. A fierce blaze which had been reported to have been going for some days on Tenehaun station, on the Ashburton side of the Rangitata river, threatened the Waikari Hill station of Mr A. Allen, and also his homestead. With the fires on Stew Point and Coal Hill sweeping his way, he and his family made preparations to evacuate if necessary. According to a report received at 9 o’clock this evening, the fire had been confined by the back-burning from Boundary creek, but tussock and grass above the 3000 feet mark was still burning. OUTBREAK ON HILL RUNS NEAR FAIRLIE From Our Own Reporter FAIRLIE, September 23. A grass fire broke out this afternoon in the Sherwood Downs-Clayton area (near Fairlie) and has burnt the hill runs of several properties. The main damage has been caused by fire in the snow grasses, which is dry and very long. So fan no homesteads have been endangered. Residents of the district are fighting the fire. 20 ACRES OF RIVERBED LAND BURNT About 20 acres of grass and scrub were burned and some pine trees were damaged yesterday after a heap of sawdust in the Ashley riverbed near the rifle butts at Rangiora had caught fire. Tlie sawdust was seen to be smouldering about 8 a.m., and later it burst into flames. Three men beat the flames for about two hours, and checked the spread of flames.