GORSE FIRE DANGER

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 98, 19 January 1935, Page 8

GORSE FIRE DANGER

Locomotives Blamed For Over a Third BOARD MEMBERS’ CONCERN A report by the deputy-superinten-dent of the Wellington Fire Brigade, Mr. J. Creeke, detailing the large increase in gorse and grass fires in recent weeks, gave rise to the discussion of ways and means at a meeting of the Fire Board yesterday of reducing the .number of calls to such outbreaks. It was pointed out by the deputysuperintendent that more than onethird of gorse fires attended by the brigade this summer were attributed to sparks from railway engines. Several members of the board expressed concern with the fire danger from locomotives, particularly at the Kaiwarra area, where oil storage tanks are located. In his report, Mr. Creeke said 90 calls were received in December requiring the brigade’s attendance at grass and gorse fires. In the two weeks to January 14 38 such outbreaks were dealt with, making a total for the six weeks of 128. Of these no fewer than 45—more than one-third —were held to be caused by sparks from locomotives. The majority of the remaining fires were caused through lights being thrown into dry grass, and several were ascribed to persons burning off without a permit and the fire getting out of control. Danger at Kaiwarra. Mr. 8. 8. Dean drew attention to the number of gorse fires along the railway line, particularly near Kaiwarra. The brigade was often rushed out there urgently to quell such fires. He suggested that it would be better in the long run and that there would be less danger to property if arrangements could be mad.£ with the Railways Department whereby at the beginning of the summer, the department burned off its gorse. This could be done either under the supervision of the fire brigade or by the firemen themselves- He felt sure that if something like that were done it would provide greater safety and would save many unnecessary calls. The chairman, Mr. N. W. Nelson, mentioned that the chief inspector of fire brigades, Mr. R. Girling-Butcher, had spoken to him on the question. It was Mr. Girling-Butcher’s intention to interview the Railways Department with a view to bringing about some such arrangement as Mr. Dean proposed. It was not only Wellington that suffered from gorse fires near the railway lines; it happened all over Nev,’ Zealand. Mr. Dean: Mostly in Wellington, 1 think we have more gorse here. Mr. Marks emphasised that experience had proved that if a fire should occur at an oil store it could not be put out for a fortnight. Water would not extinguish an oil blaze, and the Hutt Road might be closed for that period. Mr. Nelson said he thought that the board could wait until it had received Mr. Girling-Butcher’s report. Mr. Marks said Mr. Girling-Butcher should be specially advised of the danger mentioned by him of the oil storage area at Kaiwarra taking fire. It was not only a danger but a menace to the City of Wellington. On the motion of Mr. Dean, seconded by Mr. Marks, it was resolved that representations be made through Mr. Girling-Butcher to the Railways Department with a view to minimising the danger from gorse fires and io see whether the department would consent to gorse along the railway lines and on its property in the district being burned under the supervision of the brigade. Cut the Grass Young. Mr. G. C. Edwards asked why the gorse should not be cut down before it grew to any extent. Reference to the high proportion of outbreaks attributed to sparks from railway locomotives was made by the secretary. Mr. Dean remarked that the department would not admit it. Mr. Marks said his impression was that the department admitted it. All their engines were equipped with spark arresters. Experts, however, pointed out that arresters were all right with hard coal, but useless with soft coal. “The brigade has been working overtime in recent weeks,” commented Mr. Dean when the report of the deputysuperintendent of the brigade was under analysis.