SOUTHERN FIRES

Waikato Times, Volume 124, Issue 20736, 21 February 1939, Page 8

SOUTHERN FIRES

OUTBREAKS IN CANTERBURY DESTRUCTION IN FOREST (By Telegraph.—Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, Monday The prompt action o£ five forestry workers confined a fire in the Balmoral State forest to-day to an area of 200 acres, when a fresh outbreak beyond a firebreak was extinguished. The fire was the first to occur in the Baimoral plantation since it was opened in 1916, and the area destroyed was planted in young trees, some of which are expected to revive if there should be rain.

The fire, which is the second in North Canterbury within a week, started at the north-western end of the 24.000-acre forest about seven miles from Culverden and soon got out of control when it was fanned by a strong wind. About 150 people fought the blaze with shovels, but the thick undergrowth of old manuka scrub made their efforts difficult. The method of fighting a fire by starting another fire at the break was used near the junction of the Shortcut road and the Takoa road, but a spark set fire to the trees across the road. Five forestry workers concentrated on this fresh outbreak and aided by a lull in the wind, had it under control by 6.15 p.m. Anxiety for Farmers A grass fire at Leeston also threatened serious damage and caused considerable anxiety to farmers in the district, shortly before midnight on Saturday. Many hundreds of trees, more than a mile of fencing, a stack of oatsheaves, a stack of hay and two pigs were destroyed. There was a strong north-west wind blowing when the alarm was sounded and helpers from many parts of the district were soon on the scene. The lack of water hampered their efforts and the fire swept down towards the main Leeston-Southbridge road. Pinus insignus trees adjacent to the cemetery property caught fire and hundreds of well-grown trees on the cemetery reserve were destroyed. The wind changed at about 3 a.m. and enabled the fire-fighters to gain control.