FIRE HAZARD VERY GREAT

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28800, 22 January 1959, Page 7

FIRE HAZARD VERY GREAT

Counties Impose

Restrictions

With high temperatures in North Canterbury districts during the last week—including a reading of 94 degrees in the Balmoral State forest last Sunday—the fire hazard at present is very great, and a change to north-westerly conditions could make the position more ‘acute in most areas than it has been at any other time this summer. Most county councils have already imposed total fire restrictions in their districts, while some, which have not yet done so, have discussed the hazard at meetings this week and will, be watching the position closely during the next few days, which will have considerable influence on any decisions which will be made regarding the imposition of restrictions. The Rangiora and adjacent Eyre county councils imposed restrictions on fire lighting in the open last week. There are considerable areas of dried out grass in the Rangiora district, in many cases near crops awaiting harvesting, and extreme caution would have to be used during harvesting operations, and by all persons travelling in the area. Position Being Watched

“The Ashley County Council had not yet imposed restrictions but the position is being watched closely by the county fire officer,” said the county clerk (Mr J. M. Finlay). * Light falls of rain in most counties about the middle of the month had only' relieved the fire risk for a short period, but in most districts the rain had done only a token amount of good, and was quickly dissipated by the high temperatures which followed.

Fire restrictions have been in force in the Culverden district for nearly two months. Danger in State Foreate

Fire danger in the main State forest areas of North Canterbury is very high, particularly* in the 25,000-acre Balmoral forest where shade teinperatures of 94, 91, 89, and 88 degrees have been recorded during the last few days and grassland in open areas near the forest is in a highly combustible state.

A forestry official said falls of rain more than a week ago, when .73in was recorded in three days, had done little to alter the fire position. A similar position was revealed at the Ashley forest, and in both these areas officials predicted that a change to northwesterly conditions at this stage would put the fire hazard rating in both forests in the "extreme” category, which is the highest fire rating, and demands special vigilance by fire lookouts and other fire fighting gangs.