FOREST FIRE

Hokitika Guardian, 7 January 1926, Page 3

FOREST FIRE

VICTORIAN DAMAGE. SYDNEY, Dee .30. Summer in Australia is loved by the greater portion of the inhabitants, hut its loveliness is marred every year by the fires that spring up and spread in this season. An example of the damage that can be caused by a summer bush fire occurred last week in tbe valley of the Rubicon River in A'ictoria, where nearly 4000 acres of State forests were engulfed in flames carelessly started, it is alleged, by employees of the Electricity Commission. It is stated that these men ivere burning off in order to prepare for the building of the dam across the river, despite notices prohibiting Inirning-off and warnings by forestry officers. The Rubicon State forest i.s situated 100 miles from Melbourne. The fire, fanned by a 50-mile an hour wind, descended on a tiny settlement at No. 2 mill, owned by Messrs Clarke and Pearson, and in 50 minutes bad traversed a space of 300 yards and consumed every bit of the mill, four houses, nine huts and a stable. Nino men, three women and nine children, including a baby in arms, barely escaped with their lives. They lost everything. But the colossal burden of losses rested mainly on the Forestry Commission. The latter estimated the value of the land with timber at £2OO an acre, and that more than half of this value would never he recovered. Gazing on the havoccreated by the fire, a forestry inspector said:' “This is just another illustration of the disheartening attitude towards forestry. The area covered bv the fire is six square miles, or 3840 acres. It would produce about £2OO worth of timber an acre.

TREES ALL KILLED. “Most of the forest was composed of mountain .ash. which generally dies completely when burnt. Everythin £ points to the fact, that the devastation started where work was being done by the Electricity Commission, which did ns it liked—showed ns no courtesy whatever, and made no arrangements to work with the Forcstix j Department’s officers.” The. manager of the mill brought more direct evidence that the fire was started by the Commission’s employees, who wore burning off, and who persisted in doing so in tbe face of the warnings of experienced men, and on a day dnngeious for forest fires. A few hours latei flames from the burning-off operations had leapt the narrow Rubicon River, and set alight to the forest. The fire in nil lasted five days, and threatened much more country than was actually affected. A fall of rain alone saved much of the nenrbi conntrv. including the township _ ot Mnrvville. The Forests Commissions estimates its loss at £400.000. Signed statements as to the cause of the hie have been taken, and the owners ol the destroyed mill have claimed compensation from the Electricity Commission. McamVhile the Forests Commission is emphasising its appeal to tourists and pit-knickers to assist in the prevention of forest tires, ami the preservation of beauty spots. Stickers, oosteards. and leatlets pointing out tbe flanker that exists with billy fires 1 iedited matches, cigars, cigarettes, and pipe asli are being distributed. A special folder containing an appeal to motorists sets forth a number ot simple rules, which, if observed will nreatty minimise the danger of fire. ” Thus the way of forestry experts in Australia is made harder by our hoaut.iful summer weather. Not only have thev to awaken a sense of the importance of forestry in the Australian public. but they must also educate it as to the waste of causing lire.