FIRE NEAR TOPHOUSE

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29742, 8 February 1962, Page 12

FIRE NEAR TOPHOUSE

50-Acre Blaze In Forest (N.Z. Press Association) NELSON. February 7. Fire fighters used power saws today to halt a fierce 50-acre bushfire five miles south of Tophouse. In the face of a strong wind they felled smouldering dead trees set alight by highflying sparks. Tonight only “spot” danger remained from further flying sparks. At its peak, the blaze threatened the 66,000-volt power transmission line from Islington, to the Kikiwa substation, but it is in no further danger, according to the senior ranger of Golden Downs, Mr J. A. Cavanagh. The outbreak occurred in cutover bush by the transmission line in the No-Cxeek-Chinaman s spread to native bush. Twenty-five fire fighters battled the blaze before it was controlled, and 12 more will set out at daybreak tomorrow to prevent further outbreaks.

A technical expert in bush fire-fighting, Mr A. Taylor, of Wellington, will also examine the area. Mr Taylor will be making tests with a special “hydro blender”—a type of detergent which makes water wetter and more effective in fighting fires.

The Conservator of Forests in Nelson, Mr R. P. W. Maplesden, said tonight the dead trees along the route of the power cable were a definite fire hazard. Each log would have to be sprayed individually to ensure the fire was out. and would take about a week. The cause of the fire was unknown, Mr Maplesden said. The police had been asked to investigate.