HELICOPTER USED TO FLIGHT GRASSLAND BLAZE

Taupo Times, Volume 19, Issue 97, 15 December 1970, Page 1

HELICOPTER USED TO FLIGHT

GRASSLAND BLAZE

400 acres burnt out For the first time in the Rotorua district a helicopter was used to help fight a blaze which burned off 400 acres of private land at the headwaters of the Mangamaire River in the Kaimanawa Ranges on Saturday.

The New Zealand Forest Service 's senior ranger, Mr H. Vipond, called in a "chopper" supplied by Alexander Helicopters Ltd, on Saturday morning after inspecting the fire from the air.

A fibreglass bucket slung underneath the helicopter was loaded with water from a nearby stream and the water released by the pilot, Mr Sam Anderson, above the hot spots of the fire Mr Vipond said yesterday that the fire was one of a series that he believed had been deliberately lit by professional hunters on private Maori land in the Kaimanawa Ranges. "We are fairly confident we know the group of hunters associated with these fires "The series appear to be associated with a particular group of hunters known to be in the area," he said. Mr Vipond said that while the fires had been started on the private land some had spread into areas of State forest where permits were needed for fires "It is illegal to start a fire in State forest, without a permit and because of the pre-

sent high danger level we would not have issued any permits," he said. Mr Vipond said that the first big fire in the series was just over a week ago when 4500 acres of native beech forest and scrub land was burned behind Poronui Station. It had been thought a helicopter may have to be called in at that time, but the fire eventually went out on its own A large amount of fencing on the Poronui Station boundary was burned in the blaze. Mr Vipond said that all the fires were close to private airstrips used by the professional hunters. He said that the big danger of the fires was that they could have easily turned and burned into the Kaimanawa Forest Park. A public recreation hut, built recently by the N.Z. Forest Service at a cost of

$4500, was threatened during one fire. Last Saturday s fire in the high country at the head of the Mangamaire River posed a threat to 8000 acres of grassland in the Kaimanawa Forest Park and may have burned right to the Desert Road if it had not been checked, said Mr Vipond. When grassland burns it poses future problems of wind, water and ice erosion. The grasslands take years to recover to their natural state. "The Forest Service is very concerned that the authorities don't appear to be showing any concern for these irresponsible fire lighters " he said. The fire, which started on 20 or 30 acres, had spread to 400 acres before it was brought under control. Mr Vipond paid tribute to the helicopter pilot, Sam Anderson. "Without the pilot's skill we would not have had any hope of getting the fire out," he said. He also mentioned Alexander Helicopters' operations manager, Jock Graham, who volunteered to help fight the fire. , "We were just getting on top of the fire with the bucket technique when the helicopter 's fuel was running low and the bucket developed a leak," said Mr Vipond. After returning to Taupo to refuel, the helicopter brought back several 44 gallon drums and hoses to fight the fire. Empty drums were put in a net sling and taken to the stream and filled. They were then taken back to the firefighters who pumped the water from the drums onto the flames. "The helicopter again came into its own being able to pick up the men and water and take them right into the hot spots of the fire," said Mr Vipond. He said Saturday's operation had been useful in finding out what needed to be done to streamline the efficiency in the use of, helicopters. It was also important that Maori trustees who control the private land where the fires were started should have a closer association with members of the Forest Service, Mr Vipond added.