SERIOUS SCRUB FIRES RAGING ROUND TAUPO AREA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 88, Issue 4, 6 January 1944, Page 5

SERIOUS SCRUB FIRES

RAGING ROUND TAUPO AREA

(P.A.) Auckland, Jan. 5. Scrub tires were stall raging around Taupo at 3 p.m. to-day. It was deemed necessary to vacate the Wairakei mental hospital and the patients were removed to Taupo in motor-cars. At dusk this evening, the majority of the pine trees which are within a quarter of a mile of the hotel buildings were burning. However, the efforts of the fire-lighters were successful in checking them sufficiently, and up to a late hour to-night the ' hotel was still safe. At Acacia Bay the fire was driven out of Wakeman's forestry plantation by the change of wind last night and travelled south toward Rangitira Point, doing no harm to the fern country. By this morning the wind had again changed and the flames turned north and eventually burned out all the beautiful acacia trees so well known as a popular picnic ground. This fire now appears to have burned itself out. When the fire jumped the Waikato River near Reid's farm two days ago it immediately threatened the Spa Hotel and the Rotokawa forestry plantation. Skilful backburning and rigid control of the danger spot has. for the first time removed all danger from both areas. The fire which started near OrunaI nui, which is on the road between Ta-»o and Mokai. this morning seriously threatened the Orunanui school buildings, but with assistance of I volunteer fire "fighters and a lull in the wind, the) were saved.