FIRE HAZARD IN FORESTS

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28178, 17 January 1957, Page 12

FIRE HAZARD IN FORESTS

RAINS PREVENT OUTBREAKS

“Because of the frequent spring and early summer rains, this has been an extremely favourable fire hazard season and no outbreaks have occurred,” said the conservator of forests (Mr A. P. Thomson). “However, with the lush growth of grass now drying out, an acute grass fire hazard could develop should a long, dry period set in. The grass areas on the surrounds of forests could thus be a potential danger.” he said.

The New Zealand Forest Service had recently acquired 10 acres of land at Rangiora for use as a central nursery to replace the nursery at Ashley Forest, which was, for various reasons, unsuitable, said Mr Thomson. The new nursery would grow all the seedling trees, chiefly radiata and Corsican pine, larch and Douglas fir. for the Hanmer. Balmoral, Ashley, and Eyrewell State forests, and for. the new State forest at Kakahu.

The service had also acquired a block of 2000 acres of gorseinfested land at Kakahu. on both sides of Beautiful Valley, from the Christchurch City Council. Planting of this new forest would begin in 1958, said Mr Thomson.