Burnoff threatens forest
FIRE crews were called to a large blaze in a forestry area on a rural property at Papakaio yesterday afternoon.
Crews from Oamaru, Weston and the Waitaki Rural Fire Force attended the blaze on Barrie Rd, inland from Oamaru, after the property owner contacted Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz).
A Fenz spokesman said crews drove to the scene to help with the fire while two helicopters with monsoon buckets were used to douse the 300m x 400m blaze.
Property owner Ian Hurst said the fire started as a con trolled burnoff of windrows — mounds of logging debris — about 11am.
‘‘We checked the forecast and the forecast was good. It was lovely and calm at 11 o’clock. About 2 o’clock, quite a strong northeasterly came in, picking up some small items of hot ash and putting it up into the adjacent forestry block.’’
He and several others attempted to control the blaze using portable water tankers and by smothering it using a 25tonne digger that was at the burnoff site.
When it became apparent those efforts were not enough, Fire and Emergency New Zealand was called about 2.15pm, Mr Hurst said.
‘‘We tried to do what we could . . . but it was inadequate. When we realised we needed to take it one step further, we called the brigade.’’
A firebreak had earlier been created around a former borough water race, he said.
The spokesman said the blaze was bought under control shortly before 5pm and the fire crews stood down.
The local fire brigade and nearby property owners had been advised of the fire in advance, and were also told a permit had been issued for it, Mr Hurst said.
He described the result of the blaze as ‘‘frustrating, embarrassing and disappointing’’ and said lessons could be learned from it.