BUSH FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23706, 13 January 1939, Page 8

BUSH FIRES

HAWKE’S BAY AREA SPASMODIC OUTBREAKS ANXIOUS TIME FOR SETTLERS (Per United Press Association) HASTINGS, Jan. 12. Bush fires again cast a pall of smoke haze over Hawke’s Bay today. The blaze which devastated a large area near Wakarara on Monday and Tuesday is still burning spasmodically, though all danger to the mill and the nearby settlement appears to have passed. Fierce winds carrying sparks and blazing branches were responsible for several minor outbreaks, which burned out or were suppressed by vigilant settlers.

Late this afternoon dangerous fires broke out in the bush near Kereru, about 12 miles north of Wakarara. The outbreak threatened to destroy some thousands of acres of native bush running back into the ranges-

Fortunate Change in Wind

Strong winds drove the fire onward with rapid changes of direction, the settlers in the district standing by for emergency calls during the afternoon and evening. At one stage two homesteads near Kereru were threatened, but a change in the wind relieved the situation. Precautions were not relaxed, however, as sparks were being carried long distances, minor outbreaks occurring in many places. Further north, on the Taupo road, extensive fern fires are blazing, the glare being clearly discernible at Napier, 20 miles away. Inquiries among settlers in the ranges and foothills over a 40-mile front from Wakarara to Te Pohue reveal that they are exceedingly anxious concerning the possibility of further fires occurring. The recent spell of hot weather followed by drying winds has greatly increased the risk of fire. Native bush covers an extensive area and the long distances covered by blazing sparks in the high wind makes it difficult to predict where fresh outbreaks may occur. Settlers are keeping a 24-hour watch.

New Fires in Ranges

At a late hour to-night. it was reported that new fires had broken out further into the ranges where there are thousands of acres of native bush. Observers stated that the glare was increasing and it was believed that if the wind did not drop there was a grave danger of a large area of bush being destroyed. Settlers in the vicinity are reported to be pre-aring for a grim battle to prevent the fires spreading.