Fire risk ‘explosive’

Press, 1 February 1988, Page 1

Fire risk ‘explosive’

The fire danger in the South Island has been labelled “explosive” by the Conservation Department. • Mr Barry Thomas, a spokesman for the department, said if rain did not help cool the region down then the whole area would be quite explosive.” He said the Mackenzie Country was the worst affected area, being in the extreme danger category for the last week. However, a south-westerly or easterly change was predicted by the Meteorological Service this week and could ease the danger, Mr Thomas said. Most county councils in the region have imposed fire restrictions and in most cases that

bans the lighting of fires and even cigarette smoking in open spaces. The Banks Peninsula was also at an extreme fire risk except for areas above 600 metres. The Ashley forest rangers reported there had been no rain for 35 days and the Balmoral forest was causing concern. Parts of the North Island were experiencing their greatest fire risk for 20 years. Many forests have been closed to the public and fire bans imposed in other areas. Fire consumed a 50m by 100 m patch of scrub near Waimairi Beach yesterday morning. Firemen were able to surround the fire and were damping down at the scene until about 1.30 p.m. ■