PLANTATION FIRE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 12 January 1944, Page 4

PLANTATION FIRE

ABOUT 14 ACRES DESTROYED OUTBREAK AT MILDURA About 9.46 am. yesterday a passing lorry driver noticed a fire in the outer fringes of the plantation owned by Mrs M. Bisley at Mildura, alongside the Nelson-Motupeka main highway, and immediately reported it to the Mildura sawmill manager who at once dispatched men and flic fighting gear to the scene and notified the Nelson office of Messrs H. Baigent and Son LtiL who own plantations in the vicinity tn the fire. As the fire had already obtained a dangerous hold in the plantation, the fire fighting teams from Messrs Baigent and Sons Redwood’s Valley and Tasman sawmills were also instructed to proceed urgently to the scene and the fire fighting organisation of the locality was brought fnto action. The promptness of the arrival of fire fighting gear with the fire fighting teams resulted m a good save after some 14 or 15 acres of the plantation had been burnt through. As there was a strong breeze at the time and everything was as dry as tinder, the fire would undoubtedly have assumed extremely dangerous proportions but for the action taken. The fire fighting teams from Tasman Forests Ltd. were also summoned by one of the neighbours and they quickly proceeded to the scene with all their fire fighting gear. The promptness with which all concerned dealt with the situation was very commendable. The origin of the fire is at present uncertain, but certain possibilities are suggested indicating ihat i might have been due to lack of bequate precautions —especially in existing conditions—on the part of a p sing motorist. In connection with fires endangering the plantation areas, the suggestion is made that immediate notification be telephoned to the managers of any of the sawmills of Messrs H. Baigent and Sons, Ltd., or Tasman Forests Ltd., as the fire fighting organisation will then be immediately brought into operating Prompt action is essential if a ma/oC conflagration is to be avoided.