N.Z. FIRE HAZARD

Grey River Argus, 15 February 1946, Page 3

N.Z. FIRE HAZARD

REVIEW OF POSITION Danger Still Great P.A. WELLINGTON, Feb. 14. The position at the scene of the Taupo fires had eased somewhat, though there was still grave danger of fresh outbreaks, if the wind should freshen, said the ActingPrime Minister (Hon. W. Nash), in a statement this evening. He said that to-day there had been a light breeze only, but it was very hot, and everything was tinder dry. On Wednesday, the fires on Macklow’s property had flared up again, but they were later subdued, and eventually got tinder control, after spreading right up to tlje western boundary of the large Kaingaroa State forest area. There was one fire in the south-west portion of Macklow’s section still burning freely, and it was a source of further danger to the areas owned by Afforestation Proprietary Ltd. “The threat to Nukuhati Pa nas gone, and it is felt that everything round Taupo is safe now,’’ said Mr. Nash. “Oruanui village is also comparatively safe, with a fire-break completely surrounding all the habitations there. Mechanical equipment is being used to isolate the Oruanui State forest, where the fire is practically under control. “Round Atiamuri, the position is fairly satisfactory but many ing, and they are a potential danger to the exotic forest areas of New Zealand Forest Products Ltd. Large numbers of men are exployed in fighting the fires. They are still maintained, and are endeavouring o extinguish the fires. They are also patrolling the whole district to prevent any further serious outbreaks. “In the Auckland district, numerous scattered fires are still burning, and flic conditions arc very dry, so that constant care must continue, i “In Canterbury, the conditions are easier, though there was one outbreak. burning 20 acres of the Selwyn Plantation Board’s forests, near Burnham. But the Army, by immediate action, suppressed the fire before extensive damage was caused.” Mr. Nash' said that, while it must be admitted that the timber losses were very serious, a survey of the burnt area showed that there was one consolation, in that other burnt areas in the district had been reestablished successfully by natural regeneration, and there was every likelihood that the exotic forest burnt in the recent fires would recover in the same way, and would carry a fairly good stock. The Commissioner of State Forests (Lion. C. F. Skinner), had asked, before he left for the South, that a public expression of appreciation be made of the services rendered by two officers. The first was Constable Oller, of Putaruru, who had ably assisted from the early stages of the fires, and also Inspector Sparks, whose arrangements for the staff to

deal with discipline and traffic control were really valuable. The majority of the fires burning throughout the country were caused by carelessness and neglect to take reasonable precautions, said Mr. Nash. A small fire started by a spark or a cigarette butt, or smouldering ashes from a forgotten billy fire, or a producer gas unit, might spread so wideli r that it would cause a national calamity. This was particularly the case in forested and scrubland areas, and consequently he desired to make an appeal to everyone that all possible precautions be taken till the present fire hazard was relieved by heavy rains. Wairarapa Fires STATION ENDANGERED P.A. WELLINGTON, February .14. A serious bush and grass fire in the Wairarapa came within 50 yards of Mr. Thomas Taylor’s Beau Maris Station yesterday, and despite the efforts of more than 100 firefighters it was only a drop in the wind which saved the property, the furniture of which' had alreadj' been removed from the house preparatory to evacuation. The fire first started over a fortnight ago, but it was not particularly dangerous until it entered the 4,000acre Riwa Reserve of native ilush which was totally destroyed, and then under the influence of a strong wind, which varied from north-west to south, ran across the dried pasture of Mr. Taylor’s property, necessitating the hurried removal of stocx. A call for assistance was answered by neighbours and the Masterton County Council staff, but their efforts looked like being defeated -is time and again the wind carried blazing material behind them, starling new fires and necessitating a hurried retreat. “Beau Maris” is an old wooden property surrounded by a large plantation which would have been ideal fuel for the fire and the efforts of the fire-fighters seemed doomed to failure when the wind dropped and the fire was got under control. 'l'm-; morning it was four miles past Mr. Taylor’s but approaching oilier homesteads including Mr. Charles Taylor’s, Mr. G. Moore’s and the wellknown “Homewood” property. I-Iome- ( wood is six miles away from the fire which now has a four-mile front, but the residents are taking no chances and preparations were made this morning with 100 men to burn a firebreak from Stronver right out to the coast ten miles away. The break is one mile in front of the fire, which is moving very slowly in practically no wind to-day, but if wind shows signs of getting up it will be backburned towards the fire. The whole of the Wairarapa district is very parched and ideal for fire, and water for stock and firefighting is very short. Water for tea for the fire-fighters to-day hud to be carried more than four miles.