PLANTATION FIRE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVII, Issue 24, 30 January 1939, Page 11

PLANTATION FIRE

DAMAGE OF £3000

WORKMAN'S NARROW ESCAPE

Commencing in smouldering debris on the slopes of Pirongia Mountain, where fire last weekend destroyed 40,000 trees planted in the Te Awamutu municipal water catchment area, a further outbreak of fire has resulted in the destruction of nearly half the planted area, which contained originally 200,000 trees, states the Te Awamutu correspondent of the "New Zealand Herald." The damage is estimated at about £3000. The plantation was visited by the Te Awamutu borough foreman, Mr. R. H. Close, and a party of workmen for the purpose of removing a smoudering rimu,tree'■ which threatened the bush. It was then discovered that a breeze had sprung up and sent sparks among smouldering fern, setting it and the bush alight. Fanned by a fresh wind the flames swept up the face of the hill and through the plantation reserve, destroying a further 50,000 Oregon pines and cedars. The * trees, which were planted six years ago, averaged 20ft in height and were valued under Government valuation at Is 6d each. One of the men in the party had a narrow escape' when he was hemmed in by advancing flames. Fortunately he found a hole in the ground, in which She crouched while the flames passed over him. He escaped unhurt. Other members of the party suffered minor ! burns, but by their efforts in clearing fire breaks they were able to save half the trees in the plantation. Heavy showers yesterday lessened the danger j of further .outbreaks.