FIRE HAZARD ON COAST

Press, Volume C, Issue 29609, 4 September 1961, Page 14

FIRE HAZARD ON COAST

Threat Of Major Outbreaks (From Our Own Reporter) REEFTON. Sept. 3. Owing to an unusually dry August, the fire hazard in North Westland has considerably increased. Fem and scrub, flattened by snow two months ago. is now tinder dry and the Forest Service at Reefton reports that during the last eight days their fire crews have been called out and have successfully extinguished six such scrub fires endangering State forests.

Pennyweight forest, off j Soldiers road, an area which has been reserved for a number of years for Arbor Day plantings of the Reefton District High School, was badly damaged last week when about half of the 25 acres was burnt out. Some of the fires are thought to have been caused by fire spreading from uncontrolled burning-off on nearby land clearing operations, and others are believed to have been started by children playing with matches. In view of the prospects of continued fine weather' a spokesman for the Forest Service issued a reminder to farmers and others that they must obtain a permit to burnoff any area within a mile of State forest. He also asked members of the public to report any apparently uncontrolled fire to the nearest Forest Service office. Scrub Fires At Greymonth During the last fortnight the Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade has attended a number of scrub fires. It is, significant that these have, occurred during the school; holidays. Chief Fire Officer J. W. Grant has issued a warning to persons to be very careful when lighting fires in the open. After a long period of fine weather, the scrub has become very dry and a small fire could quickly spread, especially if there was any wind, said Mr Grant. The fires have not been; confined to the borough of! Greymouth and the brigade; has been called up to assist the Brunner brigade with a dangerous outbreak at Dob-; son.