TUSSOCK FIRES

Grey River Argus, 2 August 1940, Page 4

TUSSOCK FIRES

GERALDINE DAMAGE.

GERALDINE, July 31. A a tussock fire which swept over several thousand acres on the hills behind Geraldine during the last two days caused considerable anxiety to runholders, but no serious damage was done. A normal spring burning got out of control with a change of wind, a,nd the fire spread over Nolans’, Neutze’s and Orari Gorge runs. The manager of Orari Gorge station (Mr J. M. Polhill) said that 500 acres of tussock land on the station haa been affected by the fire, which started on a neighbouring property. The fire came down near the station, and made it necessary to remove sheep. Men remained on watch throughout last night, but a change of wind saved the situation. GRASS FIRE NEAR GLENROY CHRISTCHURCH, August 1, About 400 acres of tussock country

in the Glenroy district was burnt during the early part of lhe in the biggest grass fire seen in the locality for 25 years. The outbreak •*> one of the biggest experienced in Canterbury foj /some time Beginning somewhere between the High Peaks station and the Government reserve, at Windwhistle, the Jl’-’e swept down the southern side of The Point hills, which are the termination of the Malvern hills. The fire . started on Monday afternoon, and. fanned by a strong north-west gale, it spread over a front of about two mile s and burnt down the slopes for about 10 miles, being finally checked between Glenroy and Whiteclifrs. About 50 men fought the fire, widen was checked on Tuesday evening. Since it was mainly native country, the loss is considered to be small, *and it is believed that little stock was losr,. Most sheep had been brought down to the flat and put on turnips, and breaks in the fire are expected to have provided avenues of escape for small mobs on the hills.

At one stage, “The Peaks” homestead was endangered. The fire came

within 100 yards of the woolshed, but firebreaks and a large number of firefighters were able to prevent the flames spreading in that direction,- J

The inconvenience to the seven or eight-farmers whose properties werG affected is expected to be only temporary, and, since the bumtng- v.-as hght, it is considered that, with a few good showers of rain, there will be, a good strike of new grass for the spring.