Danger Of Forest Fires Considerably Diminished

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 20

Danger Of Forest Fires Considerably Diminished

After rain, varying in quantity from one to about two inches, the fire danger which was so acute in North Canterbury forests last week has diminished considerably and is new almost nil—« condition which is expected to continue until after Christmas, unless further hot northerly winds occur.

At the Eyrewell State Forest almost two inches of rain fell during the week-end, with the result that the fire hazard is “well down," according to the senior ranger at Eyrewell (Mr R. S. Barrington). Last week the humidity content of the atmosphere was solow that salvage operations had to be stopped at L3O pun. one day aad at 3 pm. on two other days to avoid working during the moat acute fire risk parted. Most logging contractors qere starting wont at about Sajn, in anticipation of having to finish work early. continue until Friday in order to load a ship at Ttanaru, and it U taped to bnild up a stoek-pUe of timber, sUp is expected at Ttanaru early in January. JSSWSW® Hamner forest was net as great as at Eyroweß ar Balmoni. tea tenet ranger (Mr V- T. Ptaween) said it was “still bad enough* uatß the "‘"ML Unless a further period of het northerly winds occurs and attars conditions, it is expected that there win

be no great danger until after Christmas. The officer in charge at Ashley forest (Mr J. B. Everett) said that about one inch of rain fell over the whole forest, which was well dampened and safe. In Radio Control Last week the danger level was very high, the sticks which register the humidity content recording only five per cent. Workers in the forest kept in radio contact, and other precautions were taken to avoid fires during the danger' period. The position at Balmoral is “pretty good” at present, after a fall of 0.58 inches during the week-end and yesterday. Before this .the danger was the most acute for several years. The rain will ease problems until after Christmas, but, with the large amount of growth now, the danger will be as high as ever if there is another dry spell.