asked the Minister for Fisheries and Forestry if he will make a statement on the damage to State forests from forest fires; and the special efforts he is taking to control the situation.
Written Answers. - Forest Fires.
41.
The incidence of forest fires varies with weather conditions. While happily in the current year to-date there has been a significant decrease in the number of forest fires as compared with last year my Department are continuously on the alert about the dangers of such fires. To that end they operate a comprehensive forest protection programme against fire hazards. The various fire prevention and control measures at each forest centre are kept under continuous review and supplementary precautions are introduced when necessary. Publicity campaigns are carried out during high risk holiday and other periods drawing the attention of farmers and the public to the need for utmost care when burning vegetation near forests or when using the forests for recreational purposes.
As most forest fires originate outside the forest boundaries and frequently result from the burning of vegetation in the interests of improved grazing, I would appeal to landowners not to engage in such burning without notifying the local forester who will give advice and assistance so as to ensure that damage to forest property is avoided.