GRASS FIRES

Grey River Argus, 19 April 1939, Page 4

GRASS FIRES

ANOTHER IN MARLBOROUGH. BLENHEIM, April 18. Four sheep-runs, at Hillersden, 35 miles from Blenheim, were involved, at least two seriously, in a grass fire, which broke out yesterday afternoon, and spread with alarming rapidity. Fortunately, the outbrek awas practically entirely confined to the hills, but settlers spent an anxious night fighting to prevent the flames coming down on to the flats, where grave damage could have been caused. They were helped considerably by a change in the wind, which turned in the evening to the south, and tended to blow the blaze back to the hills. This morning, the. weary fire-fighters returned from an all-night battle, to report that their efforts had been successful and that the fire was extinguished. As far as can be ascertained, the fire broke away on the Stanhope property, occupied by Mr R. B. McLennan, about midday, yesterday, but did not assume serious proportions till later in the afternoon. Settlers were not long in gathering, but by the time they had concentrated on the hills, the wind had swept the fire along through the gullies and over bridges, from Stanhope to Wantwood, owned by Mr G. Neville, and Hartley Hins, owned by Mr F. L. Murray. At the same time it spread in the opposite direction from Stanhope, towards Mr J. Barry’s property, slightly to the north. At one stage the fire had a front of about four miles, and extended in from the hills about a mile. Much of the area, however, consists of gullies, so that the acreage of actual pasture destroyed may not exceed 1500. There is no information regarding stock losses, but there is a distinct probability that these may be severe.