Fire Hazard Acute In Waipoua Area

Northern Advocate, 15 March 1947, Page 5

Fire Hazard Acute In Waipoua Area

A thick haze of blue smoke hung over Waipoua Forest yesterday. Outside the forest area many tires were burning. Seme of them were caused by burning-off operations, but others were not. intentional. As far as could be ascertained, none had assumed large proportions and the State Forest Service's area was not in danger.

After a lengthy spell of dry weather, conditions throughout the forest district have become such that the lire hazard is acute and a constant lookout is being kept to ensure that no fires occur in the forest area.

Scrub country has become tinder dry and the undergrowth in heavy stands of bush has lost its usual dampness.

Even swamps have been burned off by farmers during clearing operations, indicating the general dry state of vegetation.

Unless extreme care is exercised by travellers and by farmers, serious bush and scrub fires throughout Northland could easily be started and. with the present lack of water in creeks and streams, they would destroy large areas before effective checks could be made.