Power lines may have caused forest fire
Power lines may have caused forest fire
22 October 2007
published by www.newstalkzb.co.nz
New Zealand — The gale force winds in Hawke’s Bayyesterday are believed to have contributed to a large fire at a pine plantationin Napier.
The Fire Service spent much of the day putting out the blaze inRissington, which ripped through five hectares of the plantation.
Senior Emergency Management Officer Paul Hawke says theoperation cost the Fire Service about $25,000 but the cost to the plantationowner is probably much more. He suspects the fire was caused by overhangingpower lines being blown onto the trees, causing a spark.
Mr Hawke says the incident is a good reminder for people whohave power lines running through their property to make sure they are clear ofany trees.