TAUPO FIRES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26078, 15 February 1946, Page 4

TAUPO FIRES

POSITION EASED DANGER OF NEW OUTBREAKS (P.A.) WELLINGTON. Feb. 14. The position at the scene of the Taupo fires had eased somewnat, although there was still a grave danger of fresh outbreaks if the wind should freshen, said the Acting Prime Minister, Mr W. Nash, m a statement this evening He said that to-day there had been a light breeze only, but it was very hot, and everything was tinder dry. Yesterday the fires on Macklow’s property had flqred up again, but they were later subdued, and eventually got under control after spreading right up to the western boundary of the large Kaingaroa State Forest a'rea. There was one fire in the south-west portion of Macklows sections still burning freely, and it was a source of further danger to the areas owned by Afforestation Proprietary, Ltd. “The threat to the Nukuhau Pa has gone, and it is felt that everything round Taupo is safe now,” said Mr Nash. “Oruanui village is also comparatively safe, with a firebreak completely surrounding all the habitations there. Mechanical equipment is being used to isolate the Oruanui State Forest where the fire is practically under control. Round Atiamuri the position is fairly satisfactory, but many scattered fires are still burning, and they are a potential danger to the exotic forest areas of New Zealand Forest Products, Ltd. Fire Fighters Maintained “ Large numbers of the men employed in fighting the fires are still, being maintained, and are endeavouring to extinguish the fires. They are also patrolling the whole district to prevent any further serious outbreaks. In the Auckland district numerous scattered fires are still burning, and conditions are very dry, so that constant care must continue. “The conditions in Canterbury are easier, although there was one outbreak of fire in 20 acres of the Seiwyn Plantation Board's forests near Burnham. The army by immediate action, however, suppressed the fire before extensive damage was caused.” Mr Nash said that while it must be admitted that timber losses were very serious, a survey of the burnt area showed that there was one consolation in that other burnt areas in the district had been re-established by natural regeneration, and there was every likelihood that the exotic forest burnt in recent fires would recover in the same way and carry fairly good stock. Appreciation of Services The Commissioner of State Forests, Mr C. F. Skinner, had asked before he left for the south that a public expression of appreciation be made of the services rendered by two officers. The first was Constable Otter, of Putaruru. who ably assisted from the early stages of the fires, and also Inspector Sparks, whose arrangements for the staff to deal with discipline and traffic control, were really valuable. The majority of the fires burning throughout the country' were caused by carelessness and neglect to take reasonable precautions, said Mr Nash. A small fire started by a spark, cigarette butt, or smouldering ashes from a forgotten billy fire or producer gas unit might spread so widely that it would cause a national calamity. This was particularly the case in forested and scrub-land areas, and consequently he desired to make an appeal to everyone that all possible precautions be taken till the present fire hazard was relieved by heavy rains.