TIMBER FOREST SAFE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27569, 11 December 1950, Page 4

TIMBER FOREST SAFE

Wind Change Alters Course Of Blaze PA PALMERSTON N„ Dec. 10. A fire which raged through 2000 acres of scrub and long grass almost surrounding a timber forest near Te Pohue was turned back by a wind change yesterday, and began burning back through the path it had scorched earlier. The fire, which has been burning for several days, broke out of its controlled area on Thursday and became out of control as it blazed through the old workings adjoining Robert Hold and Sons’ timber mill. Fannend by a high west wind, the fire swept around both sides of a targe plantation of timber almost encircling it. The flamgs in one direction mounted high up Titiokura Hill. Yesterday morning the wind swung round to the north, forcing the fire back in its tracks. Now the fire is advancing through blackened scrub in the direction of Holt’s timber mill, the Ohurakura settlement of 22 houses, and a plantation of 26,000 pine trees. Although these now lie in the path of the fire, the position is not regarded as serious, for it is expected that the fire will burn itself out before it reaches the buildings.