Taupe Bush and Scrub Fire

Manawatu Times, Volume 69, Issue 6, 8 January 1944, Page 3

Taupe Bush and Scrub Fire

PROMPT ACTION MAY HAVE MINIMISED DAMAGE

The Taupo bush and scrub lire burned for almost a week before any organised action was taken towards stemming the progress of tho burn. In the opinion of visitors and many of the local residents there was a very marked attitude of unconcern from the momeut the first fire was noticed until Tuesday of this week when .the authorities appreciated that with the variable winds prevailing the fire might assume something of a real menace uuless something was done. When the fire was first noticed last week it might have been handled and effectively dealt with had the authorities taken prompt measures but no one appeared very much concerned even when it became apparent that the burn was expanding at a rapid rate. Tho fact that it was only scrub and light second growth on largely unoccupied country that was concerned appeared to be the reason for the exhibition of inactivity. Bast week-end, however, witnessed t-ue dawn of some concern over the spread of the lire which was now drawing close to the main highway from Taupo to Rotorua and also to the larni lands in the Acacia Bay area. Rumours gained currency that all sorts of dire happenings were treatening—that the popular I tourist resort at Wairakei woulu bo I engulfed in the flames; that farm 'homesteads would be reduced to ashes

and that a change in the wind and tho fire crossing the Waikato River would bring real danger to Taupo township

itself. | In ilie Acacia Bay area a large Oregon pine plantation on Wakeman's farm was obviously threatened but here again measures to check the adl vaucing threat were not taken until it became a risky business. A Public Works bull-dozer was commissioned to cut a lire break between the advancing tire and the plantation and from the township this work was witnessed by many who gathered to watch the race between this machine and the lire. The break was cut but no back-lire was started and that night the flames crossed the break and entered part of the plantation of pines. At night the sight from the township was aweinspiring and at dawn it was seen that the lire nad left only the Oregon pine portion of the plantation. The spread of the lire towards Wairakei was watched with excited interest and soon the highway became threatened. On Wednesday the authorities decided to evacuate the occupants to Taupo and there was a call for private cars to help in this task which involved the transportation of approximately 100 women patients together with their belongings and nurses. There was a ready response from motorists and the removal of the patients was speedily effected while the fire raged close by. Meanwhile Public Works gangs ongaged on the Waikato Piver in connection with the hydroelectric development scheme wero diverted from their labours to cut lire breaks and back-burn the immediate surroundings of the Wairakei Hotel to secure the property. The fire had crossed the highway and was moving on towards tho rivvg but its progrow*

was chocked near the Wairakei buildings. The patients spent the night in Taupo’s public hall and were returned to their temporary hospital next evening in largo passenger buses engaged for the purpose. The fire crossed the Waikato River and was then checked in that area. Meanwhile it continued on- through the Acacia Bay area and had practically burned itself out in tho light scrub at nightfall on Thursday last. A very extensive area of country running into many miles has been left blackened as a consequence of this scrub and bush fire which provided visitors to Taupo with no little excitement for close on a fortnight.