BUSH FIRES OYER HALF-MILE FRONT

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 5322, 7 February 1947, Page 5

BUSH FIRES OYER HALF-MILE FRONT

5 ( Press Assn.-

TAUMARUNUI AREA". state forest officials take all precautions

-By Telegraph—Copyright.)

N. PLYMOUTH, Last Night. Bush fires have broken out on a half-mile front in the Katetahi Timber Coitipanv's . working, about two miles from the Manunui-Tokaann road. Although the fires are riot yet regarded as serious, State Forest officials consider that the continued dry weather pr the development of high winds would resuft in the rapid deterioration of the position. The fire-' was first reported hy departmental wardens on We'dnesday aftornoon. Men from hoth the Ketetahi and Tarewa mills were sent to fight the outbreak and, assisted by a ' heavy dew that night, got - the fire under some degree of control. This morning, .. however, flames burst out anew, and by evening the fire had cut a s wa the about half a mile wide and a quarter of a mile long. The fire is travelling in the direction of t|ie headwaters of the Wanganui River. Bushmen are felling timher haclc into the flames in an effort.to form an effective fire-break. Almost a total lack of wind was an effective ally of the fire-fighters until this afternoon, but towards nightfall a hreeze sprang up, and showed every sign of inereasing in strength. This is causing concern to footh the mill and Forest Service officials. A further outbreak nea-r a timber eompany's workings, also on the , Mananui -Tokaanu Road, about 22 miles from Taumarunui, was quellfed this morning after an all-night fight hy the Mananui Fire Brigade and' tne mill buildings were saved. ,