BUSH FIRES IN HAWKE’S BAY

Southland Times, Issue 23715, 13 January 1939, Page 6

BUSH FIRES IN HAWKE’S BAY

WIND ACCENTUATES DANGER

SETTLERS MAINTAINING

(United Press Association) HASTINGS, January 12. , Bush fires again cast a pall' of smoke and haze over Hawke’s Bay today. The blaze, which devastated a big area near Wakarara on. Monday and Tuesday, still burns spasmodically though all danger to a mill nearby the settlement appears to have passed. Fierce winds carrying sparks and blazing branches were responsible for several minor outbreaks which burned out or were suppressed by vigilant settlers nearby late this afternoon. Dangerous fires broke out in the bush near Kereru about 20 miles north of Wakarara. threatening to destroy some thousands of acres of native bush running back into the ranges. Terrific gales drove the fire onward with rapid changes of direction, the in the district standing by for emergency calls during the afternoon and evening. At one stage the Eaton and Simmonds homesteads near Kereru were threatened, but a change of wind relieved the situation temporarily. Precautions were not relaxed, however, as sparks were being carried long distances, minor outbreaks occurring in many places at frequent intervals. Further north, near the NapierTaupo road, extensive fern fires are blazing, the glare being clearly discernible at Napier 20 miles away. Enquiries among settlers in the ranges and foothills ever a 40-mile front from Wakarara to Tepohue reveal that they are exceedingly anxious concerning the possibility of further more dangerous fires occurring. The recent spell of hot weather followed by high drying winds greatly increased the risk of fire where fern had been cut. Long distances have been covered by blazing sparks'in high .wind, making it difficult to predict where a fresh outbreak may occur. The settlers are keeping a 24-hour watch to prevent a possible repetition of the bush fire tragedies in Victoria at the present time. Several separate fires are burning scattered over a wide area. At a late hour tonight it was reported that new fires had broken out further into the ranges where there are thousands of acres of native bush. Observers stated the glare was increasing. It was believed ■ that if the wind did not drop there would be grave danger of a big area of bush being destroyed. Settlers in the vicinity are reported to bo preparing for a grim battle to prevent the spread of the fires.

FIRE DENUDES BIG WATERSHED SCRUB AND LIGHT BUSH BURNED OFF (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 12. Between 1500 and 2000 acres of the Ohinemuri County Council’s watershed reserve from which the borough cf Paeroa and an area of the county are supplied with water have been denuded of vegetation by a fire which originated beside the . old Paeroa-Waitekauri road. The fire later spread in the direction of Komata but by tonight had practically burned itself out. The reserve, which contains two reservoirs, was covered mainly with fern scrub and light bush but about 150 acres of fairly heavy bush was included in the area. The loss of the bush will not immediately affect the water supply but the efficiency of the catchment area in dry weather is expected to be reduced.

The cause of the outbreak is not known. The road is little used by through traffic but is often frequented by picnickers and sightseers.