Fire sparks bird-scarer alert
BY BLAIR ENSOR
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A grass fire on Dillons Point Rd has reignited concerns about the risk posed by gas-powered bird scarers.
Marlborough Rural Fire Forces and the Blenheim Volunteer Fire Brigade were called to the blaze at Kerseley Vineyard just before 1pm yesterday.
The fire burned across about one hectare of farmland, threatening a farm shed and damaging about 40 vines in a neighbouring vineyard.
Marlborough South deputy principal rural fire officer John Foley said he suspected the fire had been started by one of two gas-gun bird scarers at the property.
The incident was reminiscent of another, more severe fire in 2007 which started after a bird scarer was knocked over by the wind. The blaze ravaged 48ha of farmland in the hills south of Blenheim.
"If this had started in the hills we'd be chasing it."
Mr Foley said vineyard owners needed to be aware of the fire risk bird scarers posed. "They need to be up off the ground and fixed down," he said.
Growers should also check gas pipes on their machines for leaks and ensure they were set up away from dry grass or other fuel which could ignite easily, he said.
- The Marlborough Express
