FORESTS ABLAZE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27567, 8 December 1950, Page 6

FORESTS ABLAZE

Two Fires In Southland PA INVERCARGILL, Dec. 7. Two fires, which broke out almost simultaneously, in the timber country about five miles west of Tuatapere, assumed serious proportions yesterday. Driven by a hot north wind of gale force, the fire threatened the homes of several timber workers in the Groveburn Valley. A lull in the wind and light rain last night allowed fire-fight-ing parties to avert the danger temporarily, but the position is still serious as the strength of the wind has risen again. Fire-fighting squads rushed into action soon after the first outbreak on Tuesday morning. The fire began at the sawmilling operation of Dawson and Co., and spread into the overcut native bush in the Groveburn Valley. Yesterday a fire crew from Riverton joined the timber workers and men of the State Forest Service, who were trying to check the blaze, and by nightfall their work was rewarded. Difficulty in obtaining supplies of water has seriously handicapped the fire-fighters. A second fire, which had no relation to the first, broke out yesterday at the Groveburn Sawmilling Company’s operation in the same valley, and squads had to be redirected to meet the new danger. The wind blowing this morning again made the position hazardous, and the men went into the bush at dawn. “According to the Forest Service fire hazard instruments, humidity dropped rapidly throughout the province yesterday, and a condition of high fire hazard existed. For the past three months now a fire danger has been present. Unusually dry weather brought forests to a highly inflammable state a few weeks ago, and although widespread rain eased the situation to some extent, fire watchers had to be on the alert constantly.