FIGHT WITH FIRE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19887, 15 March 1939, Page 7

FIGHT WITH FIRE

FOREST WORKERS’ TASK USE MADE OF BULLDOZER WATER CARTED 3 MILES What was considered the most alarming scrub fire in the Taupo district was finally extinguished about daylight on Saturday. Between 40 and 50 men had been fighting this fire since last Tuesday, when it broke out near the rifle range road at Taupo. The fire travelled very steadily toward the Rotokawa forestry plantations and by daylight on Saturday morning was within 30 chains of the actual plantation. The surrounding firebreak had been enlarged and extended halfway up the Tauhara Mountain by the efforts of a bulldozer and a laige gang of men drawn from both the .Rotokawa and State plantations. It was realised as the fire approached, however, that this would not be sufficient to check the ilames and the services of a large motorlorry carrying two 500-gallon tanks of water from a creek three miles away were requisitioned, together with the use of 20 chains of 2in hose. Water was played on the fire and this, aftci an all-night fight, had the fire under control.

Had the fire entered the Rotokawa plantations there is every reason to believe it would have continued on to the State plantations which are only separated by a firebreak of about five chains.

Light but steady rain set in on Saturday and should definitely quench all scrub fires in this area. All firefighters have now been recalled and everything appears to be safe.