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SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1977
LACK OF RAIN BRINGS HIGH FIRE RISK
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LACK OF RAINFALL THIS YEAR MAY PORTEND MORE THAN THE PROSPECT OF CONTINUED WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR HONG KONG.
FIRE SERVICES AND FORESTRY PERSONNEL, NOW BUSY PREPARING TO COUNTER THE TRADITIONAL FIRE RISKS IN THE COUNTRYSIDE OVER THE WINTER MONTHS, ARE BRACING FOR EVEN MORE HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS AS A RESULT OF THE DROUGHT.
THERE HAVE ALREADY BEEN A NUMBER OF HILL FIRES REPORTED IN RECENT WEEKS, AND WITH THE WEATHER TURNING COOLER AND DRIER, THE INCIDENCE IS LIKELY TO CLIMB RAPIDLY.
THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, WORKING CLOSELY WITH THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT, IS PREPARING ITS CONTINGENCY PLAN TO PROVIDE FIRE FIGHTING SERVICES WITHIN PLANTATION AREAS.
THESE SERVICES WILL TAKE EFFECT WHEN THE FIRE SEASON OFFICIALLY COMMENCES AT THE START OF OCTOBER, AND WILL CONTINUE UNTIL APRIL NEXT YEAR.
ADDING TO THE INFLAMMABLE CONDITIONS CAUSED BY LACK OF RAINFALL IS THE HIGHER INCIDENCE OF CAMPERS, PICNICKERS AND OTHER VISITORS GOING TO THE COUNTRYSIDE IN LARGE NUMBERS.
THE IR CARELESSNESS CAN START FIRES WHICH DESTROY THOUSANDS OF TREES AND BLACKEN HUNDREDS OF ACRES OF PLEASANT COUNTRYSIDE.
IN ADDITION TO DEFACING THE LANDSCAPE, THESE FIRES EXPOSE MORE SOIL TO THE RISK OF EROSION, WHICH IS ALREADY A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. THE RESULTING DESTRUCTION IS SO COSTLY THAT THE COMMUNITY CANNOT AFFORD TO LET IT CONTINUE UNCHECKED.
A SPOKESMAN OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT TODAY APPEALED TO THE PUBLIC TO EXERCISE EXTRA CAUTION AGAINST FIRE DURING PICNICS AND EXCURSIONS.
HE POINTED OUT THAT IT IS NOW AN OFFENCE TO LIGHT OR USE A FIRE IN OR NEAR A FOREST, PLANTATION, PROHIBITED AREA OR AREA OF OPEN COUNTRYSIDE. IT IS ALSO AN OFFENCE TO BE IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE USING SUCH A FIRE, WHETHER OR NOT IT WAS LIT BY A MEMBER OF THAT GROUP.
HE SAID, DURING THE FIRE SEASON EVERY YEAR, A HANDFUL OF DEDICATED FOREST WATCHERS ARE POSTED AT VARIOUS POINTS IN THE NEW TERRITORIES TO WATCH FOR THE OUTBREAK OF FIRE.
THESE MEN SPEND THE WINTER IN 'FIRE LOOKOUTS' WHICH ARE LOCATED ON THE TOPS OF HILLS OVERLOOKING LARGE AREAS OF WOODLAND MANAGED BY THE DEPARTMENT. AT TIMES BRAVING ZERO-DEGREE TEMPERATURES, THEY FACE A SPARTAN LIFE,
THERE ARE