FIRE DANGER

Wairarapa Times-Age, 14 November 1939, Page 4

FIRE DANGER

PROTECTION OF STATE FOREST. EVERY PRECAUTION NECESSARY. The near approach of summer and dry weather, brings with it the menace of forest fires, and an appeal is made to all sections of the community for their assistance in preventing these fires. It may seem to some people to be rather early to fear forest fires but it should be remembered that an extensive and destructive fire occurred on November 7 two years ago on the Mt. Holdsworth track. A week or two of hot weather and the absence of rain are sufficient to make the covering of dead leaves, twigs and branches on the forest floor highly inflammable, and great care is necessary under these conditions, especially in areas which have been, burnt over in the past, and have been slowly regenerating. These areas generally contain great quantities of dead fern tops and manuka, which even when green, burns fiercely. During irtie summer period large numbers of people visit State forest areas and an appeal is made to all picnickers, shooters, irampers and farmers to be constantly alert against fires. There is little doubt that many fires have been caused by cigarette butts tossed out of car windows. The public is reminded that it is an offence to light fires in State Forest from November to March inclusive.