Summer Weather Brings Fire Danger To Forests On Coast

Chronicle (Levin), 22 December 1949, Page 4

Summer Weather Brings Fire Danger To Forests On Coast

The Maoris have prophesied a dry summer and the Public Works engineer in char'ge of reclamation and tree planting on the coastlme between Hokio and the Manawatu has issued a warning of fire danger in this area. Over 100,000 trees have been planted out this year, bringing the total to over 1,000,000 since the work was commenced" 15 years ago. Most of the trees have struck root and are progressing well. They will continue to make rapid progress unless fire started 'by human hands brings destruction.

i From recent experience it can be realised that the danger spot is within the area on the south bank of the Manawatu River, seaward of the Whirokino Bridge. A northerly wind would sweep a fire right across the area now being planted. Picnickers, rabbiters and hikers from Foxton and elsewhere should remember that the land south of the Manawatu is private property. The owner of the property, with the full support of the department, has forbidden trespassing. Another danger area is that in and around the marram grass which grows immediateiy above the 'beaeh north and south of Waitarere. Special care should be exercised at all times in order to prevent the spread of fire. That is one of the reasons why notices are displayed along this stretch of coast forbidding trespassing over the sand dunes. During the crowded picnic days the Works Department will maintain a beach patrol, armed with water pumps, to attend to small outbreaks of fire. • The co-opera-tion of the public is requested and anticipated. Last year a fire look-out tower was erected at the tree nursery close to Waitarere Beach. Since then a further two look-outs have been erected at strategic points along the coast. One has been placed on a knoll a small distance inland and south of the wrecked Hyderabad. This will command 'a view Of the whole beacn area from Waitarere south to Hokio: The other tower ha# been placed

i about one- mile inland and about three miles north of Waitarere in order to keep watch on the dangerous area immediateiy south of the Manawatu. Plans are in hand ' to erect another tower on the coast about one mile north of Waitarere. The fire look-outs are all in telephone contact with the overseer's office at the nursery and with the post office at Waitarere. The fire warning siren has been moved to an elevated position near the overseer's office. A prolonged blast on the siren will be the signal for departmental workmen to" meet at the nursery and for volunteers to congregate at the post office store. Under recent legislation the overseer has been appointed a deputy fire officer by the Horowhenua County Councii. He will direct fire fighting in the area between the' Hokio Stream and the Manawatu River. The area also includes the stretch of land west of -the main' Highway from the Waitarere turn-off to the bridge. People in the area are advised not to be alarmed by a short w siren blast which will be heard at 9 a.m. each Monday morning. This will be a routine eheck to ensure that every part of the organisation is in working order. The Public Works Department has taken Considerable trouble to make provision for fire detectiob and fire figHting in the area and the co -operation of the general ppblic to prevent fire is confidently expected,