Fire in the forest

Shortly after the blaze commenced, a Nelson woman asleep in a car on Rough Island awoke to find the car engulfed in flames and she was badly burned about the arms, legs and feet before she could escape. The car was destroyed. She was Mrs Jessie Miller, wife of Dr D. J. Miller of Ngawhatu Hospital.

Fire engines from Nelson, Stoke and Richmond were rushed to the blaze when the alarm was given and during the afternoon a small army of volunteers raced to the island. Many small blazes were checked, but new outbreaks occurred as sparks were carried. across fire breaks and into tinder-dry undergrowth. The climax came about 8.30 p. m. when flames reached the road near the caretaker's cottage. This dramatic pic was obtained at that moment. It was contained, at this point.

The efforts of the 100-odd volunteer fire fighters, especially the bulldozer drivers whose machines turned the tide, are worthy of great commendation. But we feel the time is now ripe for an investigation into an up-to-date fire fighting plan for the island and consideration of a plan to clear, or make safe, much of the rubbish left on tree-cleared ground.

The frantic efforts of volunteer firemen and brigadesmen saved the 2150 acres of pine plantations on Rabbit Island from the vorst provincial fire for four years. During the afternoon of February 11, a fire which had its origin on the south-west corner of Rough Island swept across the island, jumped fire breaks with the aid of a stiff southerly wind, and ate its way through about 100 acres or standing pine before being brought under control. Damage was estimated at around £10,000.

The burned-out car of Dr Miller

Camping equipment by the side of the car was also damaged.

A lone fire fighter watches a tree ablaze shortly after the fire jumped to Rabbit Island.

This bach on Rough Island was completely destroyed

One of many groups on hand to dispense refreshments was that of Joe Hill, Ngaire Hart and Jean Hill.

In places pine branches were ineffectual as a means of beating out the flames

Water was the most precious commodity on the island

A volunteer atop a water tank watches the progress of the fight.

Here a fire leaps a fire break and roars on

Fire gained good holds in this sort of oountry where trees had been felled and the unwanted limbs and branches were bone dry

Ringed by fire this bulldozer cuts a break in the trees

Knapsack pumps helped control new outbreaks but against a wall of flame they had little effect

Sacks, branches and sand - all were used to douse the flames

Reinforcements arrive at a new danger area

The glow of fire continued well into the night

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The Nelson Photo News

No 76 : March 4, 1967

Fire in the forest