CONCERN AT BUSH FIRE

Chronicle (Levin), 7 February 1947, Page 7

CONCERN AT BUSH FIRE

•NEW PIA'MOUTH, .Eeb. 6.. Busli fires liave bi'-oken out on a lialfniile front in the Ivc titahi Timber Company 's workings ab'oiit tvro miles from j the Manunui-Tokaanu road. Although the fires are not yet regarded as seri- ] ous, State Forest Service ottieials con-| sider that the ; edntiiiued dry weather or] development of higli -winds would result 1 in a rapid deterioration of the position. Fire was first repbfted' by a departmantal warden ofi '"Wednesday afternoon. Men from both Ketitahi - and Taurewa mills were sent to fight the outbreak and, assisted by a lieavy dew . that night, brought the fire under soma | degree of control. This morning, however, flames burst' out auew and by evening the fire had cut a swathe aboul half a mile wide and more than a niile long. The fire is travelling in the direetion of the head watcrs of the Wanganui River. Bushnien are felling timber back into the flames' in an eii'ort to form an effective fire break. Almost a total lack of wind was an cll'ective ally of the fire fighters until this afternoon but towards nightfall a brecze sprang up and showed cvery sign of increasing in strength. This is causing concorn to lioth the mill and .foivM service ottieials. A further outbreak in the Tauiai Wliana Timber Compauy 's workings, also on the Manunui-Tokaanu road about 22 miles from Taumarunui, was quelled this morning after an all night fight by ihe Manunui fire brigade and the mill buildings were'saved.