1935 Peat Fires

The summer heat and drying winds had started early, and before much of January had gone many peat fires were burning. Our men folk were keeping an anxious eye as one came nearer, but it was hoped that the drain and partly formed road that bordered our land would act as a barrier. However, inspection one windy day revealed the unwelcome truth that the fire was in our place and into our young trees. Numerous sacks were thrown into the trough and we children on our ponies were detailed to take them to the men attempting to beat the flames.

It was soon realised that their efforts were not enough, and Uncle Sam rushed for the horses and plough to make a barrier that would hopefully contain it. Perhaps the wind died down or changed direction, but we were indeed thankful that it didn’t consume any more of our farm, or indeed spread into the neighbours as it so easily could have done. Not that the danger was over, careful watch had to be kept for a long time. For many weeks the night sky was red and angry looking with reflections from the fires around. Ironically, by Easter that year there was so much rain that our paddocks looked like a lake but at least it meant that the fires were completely out.

Fire in dried grass could run faster than a man, but it hadn’t finished when that had burnt - but the ground itself burnt and any timber in the ground was soon alight as well and the fire went down until in the end the ground sank several feet.