XN000022-1975-09-26 — Page 7

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FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1975

PICNICKERS WARNED OF FIRE DANGER

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WEEK-END PICNICKERS WERE TODAY URGED BY THE FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT TO TAKE PRECAUTIONS TO PREVENT FIRE.

A DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN SAID THE HUMIDITY LEVEL WAS DROPPING WHICH MEANS THAT FIRES COULD BE STARTED MORE EASILY BY CARELESSLY DISCARDED CIGARETTE ENDS AND MATCHES AND BY BARBECUE FIRES NOT PROPERLY CONTROLLED.

+SEVERAL COUNTRYSIDE FIRES OCCURRED DURING THE LAST HOLIDAY WEEK-END BECAUSE OF THE SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN HUMIDITY, THE SPOKESMAN SAID. +ONE ENGAGED FIREMEN FOR ABOUT SIX HOURS AND AT ONE STAGE POSED A THREAT TO HILLSIDE DWELLINGS.+

HE URGED SMOKERS VISITING RURAL AREAS TO MAKE SURE CIGARETTE BUTTS AND MATCHES WERE PROPERLY OUT BEFORE DISPOSING OF THEM. IF A BARBECUE IS PLANNED, IT SHOULD BE HELD IN AN AREA DESIGNATED BY THE AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES DEPARTMENT AND SOMEONE SHOULD BE

EARTH AND APPOINTED TO WATCH THE FIRE ALL THE TIME IT IS BURNING. WATER SHOULD BE USED TO EXTINGUISH IT BEFORE LEAVING, HE SAID.

THE SPOKESMAN POINTED OUT THAT IT IS AN OFFENCE TO LIGHT OR USE A FIRE IN OR NEAR A FOREST, PLANTATION, PROHIBITED AREA OR AREA OF OPEN COUNTRYSIDE, OR TO BE IN A GROUP OF PEOPLE USING SUCH A FIRE

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