GRASS FIRES

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1939, Page 5

GRASS FIRES

OUTBREAKS IN CANTERBURY’

[PER PRESS ASSOCIATION.]

CHRISTCHURCH, February 20

Farmers yesterday fought through the early hours of the morning against a grass fire which threatened serious damage at Leeston, Many hundreds of trees, more than a mile of fencing, a stack of oatsheaves, a. stock of hay. and two pigs were destroyed. Fences,, tree slumps, and clumps of dry grass were still smouldering last night, with a. risk, oi further damage being done if a strong wind blow during the night.

Appeals for more helpers were sent out to the townships of Leeston, Doylestown and Southbridge, and soon there was a large army of firefighters at work. Their efforts were, however, hadly hampered by the lack cf water, and the flames continued to sweep down the boundary fence in a southerly direction towards the main Leeiffon-Soiuhbridge road. About, two chains from, the pedne where Iho fire started a pig-sty and two pigs owned by the cemetery caretaker were destroyed. Pinus insignia .roes adjacent to the fence on the cemeterj’ property caught fire and the blaze went on, consuming the fence, grass, and trees, and eventually reaching a width of live- or six chains on the cemetery reserve and destroying hundreds of well-grown pine trees. Grass surrounding the Anglican and Methodist burial plots was burnt off. but the flames were kept out of the plots.

STATE FOREST OUTBREAK

CHRISTCHURCH, February 20

Fire in the Balmoral plantation of the State Forest was confined to-day io an area of 200 acres by the action of five forestry workers, who extinguished a fresh or I break beyond a fire-break.

The area, partially destroyed was planted in young trees, some of which are expected to revive if there should he rain. The fire was the firsr io occur in the Balmoral plantation since it. was opened in 191.6; bin is the second in North Canterbury within a week, ihe first, which '\vas quickly checked, breaking out ai Medhury lasi week.

The tire is believed lo have been caused by a spark from the exhaust pipe of a grader used on the forest roads.