FIRE-FIGHTING FROM THE AIR

Press, Volume XCIV, Issue 28133, 23 November 1956, Page 11

FIRE-FIGHTING FROM THE AIR

DEMONSTRATION AT ROTORUA HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL EXPERIMENT “The Press” Special Service AUCKLAND, November 22. Swooping low over a stretch of blazing scrub on the shores of Lake Rotorua, three Beaver aircraft of James Aviation, Ltd., gave a highly successful demonstration of aerial firefighting before officers of the Soil Conservation Council, which sponsored the demonstration, and the New Zealand Forest Service. .Normally used for topdressing, the aircraft each carried 200 gallons of water in their hoppers. They flew in over the furiously-burning, oil-soaked bay bales and scrub at about 20 feet, and after dropping the water the blaze was almost completely extinguished. The soil conservator of the council, Mr D. A. Campbell, said aerial firefighting could be an important weapon in combating scrub and tussock fires, especially in South Island hill country. Mr O. G. James, general manager of James Aviation, suggested a scheme to establish a series of air strins, equipped with water bores and storeage tanks, at strategic points throughout major forests.

Aerial fire-fighting had distinct possibilities, said the chief fire officer at Rotorua, Mr W. Clark, who watched the demonstration. “Of course, it is only in the experimental stages,” he added, “but it would be excellent»for fighting normally inaccessible scrub fires.”