SERIOUS GRASS FIRE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22005, 11 January 1935, Page 13

SERIOUS GRASS FIRE

OUTBREAK IN CANTERBURY homestead threatened damage to the crops The first serious grass fire of the season in North Canterbury occurred at Fernsiile, near Rangiora, last Monday at Mairangi,' the property of Mr. H. E Evans. The outbreak was controlled about one and a-half hours after it began; but not before it had done serious damage- 'V

Sosne -0 acres were burned of a 50-acre paddock of wheat which was estimated to yield 30 bushels to the acre, and a 50 and a 15-acre paddock of past sre, six of Inst season's straw stacks in one paddock, and a small plantation of pine and fir trees near the homestead were also destroyed. At one time the homestead and buildings were in imminent danger from the fire, but the concerted efforts of nearly 200 fire-fighters from the surrounding districts and from Rangiora checked the flames a few yards from the farm buildings.

The fire began in the grass on the roadside about half a mile north of the homestead, the cause being a spark from a traction engine which earlier in the day had been working a threshing plant in a paddock on the property. Fanned by Strond Wind Fanned bv a strong north-westerly wind the flames were soon burning rapidly along a 100-yard front in a 60-acre paddock. The fire crossed this in a gradually widening front and went into the paddock of wheat which was almost ready for cutting. The flames zig-zagged their way through this paddock in spite of the efforts of the fire-fighters, who were arriving from surrounding farms. The outbreak at this stage was well out of control and was moving down both paddocks toward the belt of trees which surrounded the homestead and farm buildings. Mr. E\ans called for assistance from Rangiora, as it seemed as though nothing could stop the flames from reaching the house. The Rangiora borough -- £ re alarm siren was sounded and nearly 40 volunteers were, within a few minutes, being rushed to the scene. In the meantime farmers from far and near

had arrived and nearly 150 men concentrated on keeping the fire from the residence. The blaze was turned on the edge of the belt of trees and into the south corner of the wheat paddock, where it was thought it would be checked. However, the sparks jumped the drive and started a blaze among rank grass in the plantation. Ihe tire ran rapidly into a paddock of pasture where the stacks were, at the south side of the buildings, and soon was sweeping across this area and toward the farm buildings at the rear of the homestead. Fire Finally Checked The fire-fighters now numbered nearly 200 and bv attacking the blaze systematically managed to turn it away when it was within a few yards of the buildings. TKey confined it to the paddocks where it was finally checked by a water race on the western side, and an area of mangolds on the south side. Fire breaks were afterwards made with a four-furrow plough beyond the implement sheds to minimise the risk or sparks from the burning stumps in the plantation igniting the grass near the homestead. The water cart from the threshing mill assisted in extinguishing the stumps, which were still burning fiercely some time after the rest ot the fire had been quelled. Men were still .patrolling the area at a late hour at night, as there were fears that debris from the stacks might blow across the mangold paddock and the water race and into a large paddock of oats which are in stook. Beyond paddock the countryside is covered with crop and pasture for several miles. Mr. Evans estimated his loss at about £l7O. He was not covered by insurance.