FIRE SEASON AHEAD

Taupo Times, Volume III, Issue 139, 24 September 1954, Page 4

FIRE SEASON AHEAD

RESIDENTS of the Taupo Country who recall the great series of scrub fires which swept thousands of acres in the summer of 1946 have remained "fire conscious" ever since. By those who have taken up residence in the! area only recently the danger of scrub fires may not be so fully realised, though conversation with older residents on the subject will be certain to emphasise | that danger to them. The commencement of the fire season on October 1 will find the fire position in many parts of the district very much better than it has been in the past. The development of the Oruanui and Tauhara Blocks by the Land and Survey Department has had the effect of reducing fire dangers materially over a large area. This is very far, however, from making exercise of the greatest care necessary. There are thousands of acres of country where the starting of a fire might have the most serious consequences. One fact that has to be recognised by all residents of the district is that many visitors and holidaymakers, perhaps even the majority of them, have no real idea either oi the danger of fire, or of the ease with which one may be started. All residents should therefore be on the alert throughout the summer,

wherever they may be, to warn at once any visitor who may be seen lighting, or neglecting, a fire. Frequent sources of fires in the past have been the habit of throwing out ashes from a fireplace or stove without taking definite steps to extinguish them, and the failure by picnickers and campers to extinguish camp fires before leaving them. It is a legal offence to throw or drop a lighted match, pipe ashes lighted cigarette or other burning substance in any fire district and omit to extinguish it. All these offences may be met with substantial penalties and forest authorities have made it clear in the past that those committing them have only themselves to blame if prosecutions follow. It is, perhaps, not generally kpown that it is the legal duty if anyone seeing the commencement of any fire, anywhere in a fire district, to do all in their power to extinguish, or check, it. They have the further legal duty, of course, to notify the appropriate authority of the fire as quickly as possible, But the greatest safeguard the district can have against fire -is for all those residing in it to be on their guard against the danger, and at all times to be ready to advise or warn the visitor.