FIRST GANGS WITHOUT SLEEP FOR TWO DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 25715, 12 February 1946, Page 7

FIRST GANGS WITHOUT SLEEP FOR TWO DAYS

OVER 1,000 MEN NOW ENBAGED

STILL CRITICAL IN TAUPO AREA (P.A.) WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. "'The forest and scrub fires in the Taupo district are still in a critical stage," states the Commissioner of .State Forests, Hon. C. F. Skinner, who is at present stationed at the firefighting headquarters established at the Spa Hotel, Taupo. As announced yesterday, the only extensive damage was that which occurred on Saturday, when between some 15,000 and 28,000 acres of young exotic forests were destroyed. Both sides of the Waikato, about 15 miles from Taupo township, were swept by fire, and the whole appearance of the countryside is one of blackened desolation. Sunday was a day of strenuous fire-fighting, and as a result of the increased number of men thrown into the fight only a small acreage of exotic forest was lost. Unfortunately, however, the fire did break through yesterday into one large exotic forest from which it was necessary to evacuate some residents, as well as to warn those still farther to the north of the threat that they must be all ready for immediate evacuation should conditions still further deteriorate. All to-day the position in these particular forests has been very critical, and the results are still in doubt. " Another 200 men have been thrown into the fighting line, but the rough ground conditions in the forest have made it' extremely difficult to bring the fire under effective control. Even tonight still more men are being brought into the area in order to cope with the more difficult weather conditions forecast for to-morrow. " As in most fires of this nature, the brunt of the fighting falls on the first-comers, and only now, after several days, has it proved practicable to provide regular reliefs for the first fighting squads. Some men were actually without sleep for 48 hours, but sufficient personnel are now available to allow most men reasonable relief from their strenuous work. " The difficulties of transport, 'accommodation, and rationing have also been overcome. Our principal groups for the backbone of the fire-fighting organisation are the Army and Navy group centred on Taupo, and comprising some 380 men, the fire brigade group stations at Wairahai Hotel, the New Zealand Forest Products group, including 300 men from P.W.D. operations in Karapiro and Maraetai, and 200 men from Putaruru centred on Atiamuri, and the Forest Service group of 100 men centred on Kaingaroa and Taupo. Though by far the smallest group, the fire brigade have proved invaluable in their guidance of other personnel, and had it not beenfor their efforts and equipment, including both fire trucks and ..trailers, there_ would have been serious loss of buildings at various points. Amongst the buildings saved are the Wairahai Hotel and others in that vicinity, as well as virtually the whole of Aruniua village which was in serious danger for - several days. The most seriQus development to-day was the spread of a scrub fire towards the Kaingaroa State forest originating on one of the private forest areas burnt over several days ago. This fire assumed ugly proportions early in the day, necessitating the organisation of a new fire-fighting group to protect the adjoining State forest. First travelling southwards, the. fire gradually changed front as the wind veered from north to west, and, while the firefighters disposed along the State forest frontage were successful in arresting the fire as it struck their boundary, it is still threatening another private forest to the south. The weather forecast for to-morrow is disquieting, but with new personnel being contributed both by the Army and the Works Department, every hope is entertained of avoiding any large losses.