In 1952, 150 acres of pine trees were destroyed by what was believed to be a maliciously lit fire. Photo / 123rf
Kem Ormond takes a look at the world of rural life in the day. In this week’s Pastures Past, she’s found newspaper articles about tree, flax, and peat fires over the years.
New Zealand’s rural landscapes have long been shaped by fire.
From the 1920s through to the mid‑20th century, communities contended with a range of fire hazards — including the persistent danger of peat fires that could smoulder for days or even months.
Although fire risks vary from year to year, the conditions that fuelled these historic blazes will be familiar to many: periods of intense heat, strong winds, and extended dry spells that create an environment where fires can take hold and spread.
The history of land use plays a crucial role in this pattern.
When wetlands are drained, the landscape loses not only its capacity for water storage and its ecological richness, but also an important natural barrier against fire.
Peatlands, once saturated and resistant to burning, become highly combustible when their water tables drop.
Unlike ordinary grass fires, peat fires burn below the surface, consuming the soil itself and often re-igniting long after they appear to be extinguished.
Below is a selection of historical stories from the Waipa Post (1926), NZ Herald (1933), Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune (1946), and Rotorua Morning Post (1952).
Waipa Post, January 7, 1926
Danger not yet over.
(By Telegraph. —Press Association.)
Paeroa, Wednesday.
Early in December last Ngatea was encircled with a haze of smoke from burning peat fires, which commenced in the vicinity of Orchard West Road, and seriously endangered valuable flax plantations, hundreds of acres in extent.
The land in the locality is covered with peat and dry fern, and an incipient outbreak is quickly spread by flying winds.
The flax plantations are grown for the mills at Torehape and Kaihere.
On December 7 Torehape plantation was saved by an almost miraculous change in the wind.
Rain, unless severe, does not quench the fires, which smoulder for days, and are renewed again by the slightest breath of wind.
The plantation owners, one of whom has already spent £100 in fire prevention, are satisfied after investigation that the fires were maliciously started, and are offering £25 reward for information leading to the conviction of the person or persons responsible.
The fires are still burning.
New Zealand Herald, February 4, 1933
Threat to plantation
Guards watching bridges
[From our own correspondent]
Taupiri, Friday.
A gang of over a dozen men is kept on continuous duty watching the progress of a fire which is burning in the swamp near an 800-acre flax plantation at Orini, near Taupiri.
Modern firefighting apparatus is in readiness should the fire encroach too near the plantation.
Other fires are burning in the Taupiri Swamp, the air for miles being thick with smoke.
In some places, the bridges on the main and side roads are being carefully guarded against the danger which threatens them from the surrounding swamp fires.
Hawke’s Bay Herald-Tribune, September 13, 1946
(P.A.)
Ashburton, Sept. 13.
A five-acre plantation owned by the Ashburton County Council was completely destroyed by fire this morning, and two plantations of 26 acres and 38 acres were partially destroyed, while a 20-acre privately-owned plantation was badly damaged.
The fires were in the area between Tinwald and Winslow, a few miles south of Ashburton.
These plantations suffered extensive damage in the gales last year when fire also swept portions.
Fallen trees since had been cut up and this morning’s fire destroyed a great deal of this timber.
The home of Mr. J. Grice, Winslow, was threatened at one stage, but the council staff with fire-fighting equipment saved the house.
The origin of the fire is believed to be ashes of fires lit during clearing operations fanned by a strong nor-wester during the night.
In three areas, fairly big fires are still burning.
Rotorua Morning Post, January 3, 1952
-By Telegraph
Gisborne, today.
One hundred and fifty acres of pine trees in the 200-acre block Government plantation at Opoutama were destroyed by fire yesterday morning.
The trees, planted some years ago, were 15 to 20 ft. high.
The area had been handed over by the Government to the Wairoa County Council for use as a camping ground.
When the fire was discovered, 50 or 60 campers fought the flames until one o’clock this morning before the blaze was controlled.
The fire fighters were fortunate that the wind did not change during their battle; otherwise, the whole plantation would have been razed.
The police believe the fires were maliciously lit because they were right in the middle of the block.
No fewer than four fires were ablaze at once.
The fires flared up again this morning but were soon controlled.
- Source: Papers Past