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MONDAY, JULY 28, 1980
GOVERNMENT SEEKS KUK'S CO-OPERATION
TO PREVENT COUNTRYSIDE FIRES
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THE GOVERNMENT HAS WRITTEN TO THE HEUNG YEE KUK SEEKING THE CO-OPERATION OF ALL RURAL COMMITTEES AND VILLAGERS IN PREVENTING COUNTRYSIDE FIRES DURING THE DRY WEATHER SEASON, ESPECIALLY AROUND THE CHUNG YEUNG FESTIVAL ON OCTOBER 17.
A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID TODAY (MONDAY) THAT AN ALL OUT AND UNITED EFFORT BY THE COMMUNITY IS NEEDED IF COUNTRYSIDE FIRES ARE TO BE PREVENTED.
THE LETTER ASKS THE KUK TO HELP RELAY MESSAGES URGING THE PUBLIC:
* TO BE PARTICULARLY CAREFUL WHEN BURNING WORSHIPPING ITEMS AND TO ENCOURAGE THE USE OF CONTAINERS FOR BURNING-
*
TO RAISE THE ALARM AT ONCE IF THEY SEE ANY SIGNS OF FIRE=
* NOT TO RELEASE HUNG MING BALLOONS, AND
*
TO CONSULT THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT ABOUT BURNING UNDERGROWTH NEAR FARMLAND.
THE KUK HAS ALSO BEEN INFORMED OF GOVERNMENT EFFORTS TO TRY TO REDUCE FIRES IN COUNTRY AREAS DURING THE PEAK PERIOD THIS YEAR. THEY INCLUDE:
* BANNING THE RELEASE OF HUNG MING BALLOONS AND PROSECUTING
OFFENDERS-
* THE SETTING UP OF A WORKING PARTY TO EXAMINE ALTERNATIVES AND PROPOSALS CONCERNING BANNING THE BURNING OF GRAVE WORSHIPPING ITEMS-
*
*
THE PURCHASE OF CANS FOR PLACING AT GRAVESIDES IN WOODED AND HIGH RISK AREAS FOR USE BY WORSHIPPERS BURNING JOSS STICKS AND PAPER MONEY-
AN INCREASE IN FIRE PREVENTION PUBLICITY THROUGH THE MEDIA-
* PATROLS DURING CHUNG YEUNG BY STAFF OF THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT, THE POLICE AND CIVIL AID SERVICES AND THE PROSECUTION OF GRAVE WORSHIPPERS WHO CAUSE FIRES-
* FIRE SERVICES OFFICERS AND COUNTRY PARKS
FIRE FIGHTING STAFF WILL BE PLACED ON SPECIAL ALERT DURING THE TWO WEEKS BEFORE AND AFTER CHUNG YEUNG AND FIRE WATCH PATROLS IN 30 VILLAGES AND SQUATTER AREAS WILL BE WARNED OF INCREASED FIRE RISK DURING DRY WEATHER PERIODS, AND
A THE CONTINUA PION