BUSH FIRES.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 February 1926, Page 3

BUSH FIRES.

[Australia' & N.Z. Cable Association

•STATE FOREST BLAZING. SYDNEY. February 9. Although small showers of rain temporarily checked the bush fires in the district between Alburv and Wagga, they have broken out again and thousands of acres of grass and many miles of fences have been destroyed. The valuable State forests are also now blazing fiercely. Reports from Victoria, however, indicate that the serious fires there have burnt themselves out. STATE FOREST DESTROYED. SYDNEY, Feb. 10. New South Wales Tfas suffered a great loss in the almost entire burning out of the Alurragulfri State Forest. 'l'he fire was held in check some days, then the wind veered round, and as hard as the fire fighters worked they were beaten. Only thirty to fifteen thousand acres of timber are now standing. The damage is estimated at £60.000. The work of the State Forestry Department for several yearshas been nullified. Thick grass grew right up to the edge of the forest and there was no intervening lire break. Tho other hush fires arc Mill burning fiercely, and much lo> s of valuable grass and stock is reported. ( i

VICTORIAN DANGER PAST. AfELROURNE, Fell. 10. The sudden rain lias practically extinguished the hush fires in the Dondenong Ranges. The embers of the forests are still smouldering, and large patrols are watching for fresh outbreaks. The forest watchers consider the danger is past.