FIGHTING FOREST FIRES

Taupo Times, Volume I, Issue 46, 26 November 1952, Page 6

FIGHTING FOREST FIRES

INSTRUCTIVE FILMS SCREENED A large audience ■ attended the screening of a series of Forestiy and Fire Proteetion Films at the Majestic Theatre on Thursday evening. The films showed the manner in which fire fighting operations are dealt with in the forest regions in different paris of the United States of America, where, it was most obvious from the films, the job of fire r fighting is. a highly organized business, with thorough preparation of men and equipment in anticipation of forest fires, and not a haphazard af;£air, hastily puepared1 and usually pooriy organized after a fire has occurred.

The films showed what one well trained man could do on his own at :a fire. This was followed by pictures of a gang of seven men working under a leader. The next step up was of a larger unit and so on until the audience were shown just how a large forest fire was handled. Emphasis was placed on proper use of small efficient units, rather than •on large bodies of men without proper leadership, and previous experience in fire fighting. The most effieient types of tools for dealing witli different kinds of fires were explained and demonstrated. Mistakes and errors were first shown and then corrected. Taken all round the films were an education in just how much was involved in the training and organization of fire fighters.

In addition to the films dealing with actual fire , fighting, both in the United States of America and in New Zealand, the programme included films showing the extensive pine tforests, and the manner in which the timber from these forests was being used for housing, wall board, cardboard, mine props and other purposes. Some interesting views were shown of the Fiords in Westem Otago, and of the expedition which spent some time there in making studies of Wapiti and of the rugged country adjoining the Sounds. The evening ended with a film showing an American log loader, which picked up long, heavy logs with ease and deposited them on the loading bank or trailer with speed and precision. / The films are the property of the New Zealand Forest Service and their showing in Taupo was sponsored by the Fire Officers of New Zealand Products Ltd. and Afforestation Proprietary Ltd., who after the conclusion of the screening met the membe:'* t*f the Taupo Fire Brigade, and othe^j concerned with fire proteetion matters in the Taupo Distriet.