Forest Fires

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 76, 22 December 1937, Page 7

Forest Fires

-Prese Asspoiation.)

APPEAL FOR CARE Carelessness Costs Country Thousands

(By Telegraph-

WELLINGTON, Last Nigiu. ' fWith the advent of the year's principel holiday season, it is necessary to reeall to the minds of everyone the appeals that have recently been made for the great'est care with all campers' fires," said the Commissioner of State Forests this evening. "The extremely fine weather of November was accompanied by the most disastrous fires that the Dominion has seen for at least 20 years. The value of the timber that could have been cut now from the trees destroyed by fire between November 29 and December 1 was at least half a million pounds. This takes no account of the immature timber, both State and private, which would. have grown to future values. "Three days of carelessness wasted . millions of f eet of the Dominions' timber resources and cost the oountry hundreds of potmds of direct but nnproductive outlay on fire-fighting. "The Tains that have sinee ensued may have lulled the fears of many but tha xeturn of fine and promising weather which we welcome for everyone 's enjoyment ,has made the fire danger as aeute as ever all over the country. Men are standing by without any Cbristmas leave to be in Teadiness to combat any outbreak and the Government appeals to all those who arp holidaymaking in the open to reinforce their efforts by making absolutely certain that every fire is lit in & harmless place and is completely extinguished after use. Certain features of the climate, as recorded by the meteorological services, were this year the most dangerous for fire ever shown in 50 years of records. The dama^e can be absolutely nil if all will cooperate in a eampaign to enjoy the countryside without burning it."