Fire Destroys 30 Plantation Acres At Selwyn

Press, Volume C, Issue 29669, 13 November 1961, Page 14

Fire Destroys 30 Plantation Acres At Selwyn

Near drought conditions and gusty winds contributed to several fires at the weekend, including one which burnt out 30 acres of privately-owned plantation at Selwyn. At one stage on Friday seven units fought the plantation fire near the corner of the old Two Chain road and Dunn’s road, about one mile north of the Main South road. The old Two Chain road runs parallel with the Main South road between Burnham and Rolleston. The area is known as the Jones plantation. Several owners have built houses and pert of the area carries pine trees. The fire started when one of the owners was clearing his property of gorse. Two units and two trailer pumps of the Burnham Volunteer Brigade, two unite of the Selwyn Plantation Board and one each from the Paparua and Springs County Councils as well as the privatelyowned unit of Mr C. Fowler, of Aylesbury, attended the outbreak. A good supply of water was available from Paparua County Council water race through the area. On Saturday morning another fire broke out in the area but it was controlled after about three or four acres of gorse and broom had been burnt. There was a danger that the strong northwest wind might tan the Haze across the Two Chain road into Army Department property. A warning to property owners not to light any burning off fires during the day was issued yesterday by the superintendent of the Selwyn Plantation Board (Mr

E. A. Cooney). He said smoke had caused several false alarms. “Once we get a decent spell of rain the danger should be over, but if we do not get rain "this could be one of the most prolonged fire seasons ever experienced," Mr Cooney said. ,“Fire restrictions are not normally imposed until about Christmas.” Mr Cooney paid a tribute to the members of the Bumham Volunteer Fire Brigade and the other fire fighters for their work in extinguishing the fire. About two acres of scrub were burnt yesterday afternoon at Kairaki when a fire broke out in the sandhills near the motor camp at about 3.45 p.m. Clouds of smoke billowed up and the water sports carnival being held on the river was halted while cars were shifted from parking areas under the trees and many of the men went to help fight the fire. Several pine trees were burnt but the fire was controlled before it got into the plantation area. Hundreds of helpers cleared strips of lupins and dead undergrowth

to make fire breaks and pieces of branches and sacks were used to help confine the area. One unit from the Kaiapoi Fire Brigade attended and a fire tender from the Rangiora County Council was also used. Water was pumped from a nearby creek about a quarter of a mile to' the fire which was controlled about an hour later. The motor camp was not endangered although a strong east wind fanned the flames and heavy smoke drifted over the area. Starting in a rubbish dump near the Ashley railway bridge, a fire, fanned by a strong nor’-wester, swept for three-quarters of a mile through scrub in the river bed on Saturday morning. Two units from tlie Rangiora Volunteer Fire Brigade and the Rangiora County Council water tender answered the alarm given about 1130 a.m. Many residents helped fight the flames by beating with sacks. After the blaze was controlled brigade members remained on duty until 3 pm. ! and gave the dump a further 1 hosing to prevent a further , outbreak.