FOREST FIRE CHECK

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 8

FOREST FIRE CHECK

By Telegraph—Press Association.

PRECAUTIONARY STEPS

Wellington, Last Night. New regulations designed to prevent forest fires are gazetted to-night. The regulations have been framed with a view to providing the utmost protection to forests consistent with as little interference as possible with the normal life of the community. The general effect in brief will be to impose on the State as well as owners of prlvate forests and all neighbours and users of forests the mutual obligation to safeguard one another's interests. In an explanatory statement concerning the regulations, the Hon. F. Langstone says he is convincsd New Zea^ land's present fire incidcnce could be reduced by at least 75 per cent. with the support and co-operation of all patriotic New Zealanders, and the Minister appeals for every possible assistance in the national campaign against forest fire. Under the new regulations forest officers are given power to enter private lands for the suppfession of fires where State forests or fire districts are endangered. Spark Arresters. Engines of all kinds operating in State forests or fire districts from August 1 to April 30 must be equipped with spark arresters and in addition steps must be taken for the prevention of the escape of fire and live coals from ash pans and fire boxes. Certain relaxations are granted in respect of milking machines and shearing plants, etc. As a further safeguard the Director of Forestry may, during periods of extreme fire danger, suspend logging or sawmilling operations. A further provision makes it an offence for any person to throw or drop any kind of smouldering substance in a State forest or fire district from August 1 to April 30 and it has also been made an offence to enter a State forest or any exotic forest in a fire district without a permit. Responsibility is placed on every person who works in or adjacent to a State forest or fire district or happens to be within those areas for any purpose whatsoever to tend and control forest fires.