BUSH FIRES

Southland Times, Issue 22194, 9 December 1933, Page 7

BUSH FIRES

SOUNDS DISTRICT SERIOUS DAMAGE RESULTS SCENIC RESERVES IN DANGER (Per United Press Association.) Blenheim, December 8. Bush fires which have been raging along the scenic reserves in the Grove arm of Queen Charlotte Sound since Sunday have now developed into a serious menace to the beautiful locality traversed by the newly opened Picton Grove Road which is the admiration of many visitors. Energetic efforts organized by officers of the Lands and Survey Departments are being made to stay the fire. Patrols have been out night and day. A considerable number of men are engaged and the Unemployment Board has been co-operating in the supply of man power. It has not been possible however to effectively arrest the flames and with the undergrowth which is in an exceptionally inflammable state, it is feared nothing but fairly heavy ram will fully stay the destruction of the bush. The afforestation work that has been done in the locality in connection with development of the sounds district as a scenic and tourist region will be materially spoiled and the scheme thrown back many years. It was reported this morning that 200 acres of this bush, including some original birch growth, has been destroyed and that the fire is still blazing fiercely and spreading at a rate that threatens to take total toll of the 400 acres or more. The blaze has spread over an area extending from the Grove track to the vicinity of Shakespeare Bay. A particular cause of anxiety is the falling of burning logs from the hillside on to the Picton Grove track, for if these roll down the lower slope, they will ignite the bush there and endanger the many seaside residences along the beach.

It is believed the fire was started maliciously as it developed at several points simultaneously. Other fires at Ship Cove were extinguished without serious damage. The whole of the Sounds bush is in a very dry state and special warnings are being issued to picnickers and others.