FOREST FIRES

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 January 1939, Page 4

FOREST FIRES

DESTRUCTION IN CENTRAL HAWKE’S BAV SETTLEMENT ENDANGERED. FLAMES SWEPT BY FIERCE GALE. (By Telegraph—Press Association ) WAIPUKURAU. January 10. Sweeping along out of control before the fiercest gale for years a forest fire is bearing down on a timber mill in Whakarara and threatening to destroy a settlement of a number of houses and a school. The mill houses thousands of pounds worth of plant. Late this afternoon when a visit was made to the scene it was found that the fire had not crossed the river and the dangep appeared to be over, provided there was no change of wind, in which case the fire might come in behind the settlement.

The area devastated was estimated by heads of the mill at more than 1000 acres. The fire has swept along the hills and is now spreading to Poporangi.

Rain which set in this afternoon may help the fire-fighters' efforts, but not much can be done to save the valuable timber lands.

The fire began about 4 p.m. yesterday as a result, it is stated, of a picnic camp fire, and raged all night. The mill is 14 miles from Onga Onga. but so extensive was the blaze that it was visible last night in Waipukurau. An area nearby was the scene of a large fire in November.

The mail truck was detained at the mill this morning in case it became necessary to evacuate the inhabitants. Telephone communication with the district was severed during the night. If the fire had continued on its original course McCulloch’s mill also would have been seriously endangered. Another fire in the Whakarara dis- ' trict, at Eatpn’s Whakarara station. I which has been burning for two days, ’spread farther with last night’s heavy | wind and destroyed many acres of both . unlogged and cut bush in what is 'known as Walker's Bush, but this is not threatening any buildings. The wind is still blowing at gale force tonight. TIMELY RAIN

DANGER APPARENTLY OVER. HASTINGS, January 10. ' At a date hour tonight the central Hawke’s Bay forest fire had burned out short of the mill and settlement. A tram line and logging equipment tvere damaged and approximately 1000 acres of bush destroyed. Rain is now falling and appears to have put an end to further fire danger. The fire is believed to have started from a logging camp. Settlers are relaxing precautions as a further outbreak appears unlikely.