Cannabis rivals cause of fire in reserve?

Press, 10 November 1988, Page 16

Cannabis rivals cause of fire in reserve?

PA Whangarei Cannabis growers may have deliberately lit the fire which ravaged Kaimaumau Wetland Reserve, costing the Department of Conservation up to $lOO,OOO. Plots of cannabis grow in the area, and there are fears a burn-off of a rival dope dealer’s patch sparked the fire which has burned across 4000 ha of scrub since Thursday. Flames fanned by strong winds yesterday threatened Aupori Forest and endangered Kaurex Corporation’s disused resin extraction plant. Conservation Department and Fire Service

fire-fighters supported a helicopter in keeping the fire at bay. Yesterday light rain was falling in the far north and department officials were hopeful the fire could be contained. Weather conditions could easily cause an afternoon flare-up, however, the Kaikohe district conservator, Mr John Beachman, said. Mr Beachman said there was no doubt the fire was deliberately lit. The department will have to pay for fighting the fire unless the arsonists are identified, prosecuted and ordered to

pay damages. The department’s chief fire control officer, Mr Kerry Hilliard of Wellington, said the department would pursue a prosecution. “Cannabis has been found in the area which looks like the source of the fire,” Mr Hilliard said. In-fighting among cannabis growers may have caused the fire. He guessed the bill for fighting the fire would be about $60,000, but department officers in Northland say the Kaimaumau operation will continue for some time and is more likely to cost up to $lOO,OOO.