GORSE FIRE RISKS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 25660, 7 October 1944, Page 9

GORSE FIRE RISKS

Sir,—Since the Caversham fire much has been said about the danger to houses from gorse in unoccupied fields* This danger could be much reduced by cancelling the city regulation which prohibits the burning of standing gorse even when it can be done with perfect safety. In times of labour scarcity grubbing is often uneconomic and impracticable, and a carefully controlled fire in settled weather, rather than an accidental (or purposive) conflagration in a north-west. gale, is the obvious method of rendering gorse harmless to neighbours. Safeguards are, of course, necessary, but permission and control by the Are brigade could easily achieve that end, and occupiers would in most cases be prepared to pay for this service. At present brigades are often called out to extinguish fires which they well know would be much better left to burn out with the consequent removal of serious risks in dry, windy weather. October is the best month in which to deal with this pest by judicious fires, and I hope the City Council will remove the unwise restriction which does not prevent burning. but merely postpones it to very untoward and dangerous occasions—l am. etc.. Realist. October 5.