DANGER AREA DEFINED

Chronicle (Levin), 12 February 1947, Page 7

DANGER AREA DEFINED

-Pfess Assoniation

By Telearavli—

WELLINGTON, Feb. 11. An order prohibiting the use of steam-operated log haulers and bush locomotives in the Main Trunk bus'h area between Te Awamutu and Karioi, just south'of Ohakune, was issued by the Government tonight.in view of the extremeiy dangerous lire hazard in that area aua deterioratioli in the situation over the, previous 24 hoilrs. Th,e area to which the prombitioii applids emoraees the counties of Waipa, Otorohanga, Kawhia, Waitomo, Oliura, Taumarunui, Kaitieke, Waimarino and part of the Taupo county south of tlie lake. A prohibition is aiso imposed on the lightmg of all lires in the open in this area. An earlier order had imposed a prohibition on the use of steam-operated log haulers and bush locomotives in the oush area between Taumarunui and Ohakune and the replacement of this oider ov tonight's order extending the area to which the prohibition applies, indicates the serious view taken of the situation by the authorities. An official of the tttate Forest Service stated tonight that in addition to the area covered by the order, other very dry areas with a very definite firc hazard included Manawatu, Wellington and Nelson- -Marlborough.. A lire which had broken out the previous day in the vicinity of the Raurimu spirai, was still causing trouble. Another lire which had been discovered fairly late in the afternoon at Horoxiito was being dealt with. The other main lires reported today were in the Mangapehi district. One of them was not e'ntirely under eontrol but it was being fought with considerable vigour and was not likely to be. very dangerous so long as it could be coniined. The other lire was under eontrol. Endeavours were being made, it was stated, to conline all ac: cessiDie lires by the use of buiidozers to make lire breaks where that wa^ practicable.