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The Fire is OUT!!


The Fire is OUT!!
Photo Information
Copyright: Janice Dunn (Janice) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3315 W: 148 N: 6113] (18648)
Genre: Plants
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-12-17
Categories: Rain Forest
Camera: Canon EOS 30d, Canon 17-40mm f/4 L USM
Exposure: f/4.5, 1/400 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): New Zealand Native Fauna and Flora (2) [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-02-03 3:44
Viewed: 1271
Points: 10
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Forest Fire Finally Contained
Source: Newstalk ZB / Feb 3, 2007

The fire which has destroyed 230-hectares of forest in Northland has finally been contained. Fire Service teams and rural fire crews were at the scene and yesterday fire breaks were put were around 60 per cent of the fire.

The worst of the fire is over but a Department of Conservation spokesperson says although the fire is contained, firefighters will now have to work long hours in hot and arduous conditions dampening down hot spots.

The fire was in a pine forest backing onto the kauri forest, home of the massive Tane Mahuta kauri. The blaze got within about 3km of the country's oldest and largest tree so it was touch and go for a while.

Five helicopters and fire crews from Northland, Auckland and Waikato have managed to get on top of the blaze that started on Thursday in the Waipoua Forest.

It is believed that 20 young kiwi, along with other native birds and insects have been killed, as well as marsh kraits and bitterns perished in the blaze.

* * * *

Tane Mahuta – “lord of the Forest”
Agathis Australia
Family: Araucariaceae
Genus: Agathis
Species: Australis, the only species in New Zealand
Pronounced: Tar-nay Mar-hoo-tar

This is Tane Mahuta, New Zealand’s oldest and largest Kauri Tree. We visited it in December on our way north to the Bay of Islands. We prefer to drive north via the west coast of Northland, and we always have to stop to visit the massive Kauris that grow in the Waipoua Forest. And I am so pleased that these trees are still standing.

Tane Mahuta, Maori for "lord of the Forest". It is the largest Kauri tree (pronounced cow-ree) in existence. Although there are taller kauris and stouter kauris around, this one wins overall. It is hard to accurately estimate the age of Tane Mahuta, but it may be that Tane Mahuta sprang from a seed around 2000 years ago during the lifetime of Jesus Christ.

Dimensions:
Trunk height: 17.7m – 58 feet
Total height: 51.51m – 169 feet
Trunk Girth: 13.77m – 45.2 feet
Diameter: 4.38m – 14.4 feet
Trunk volume: 244.5m
red45, Silvio2006, dew77, loot has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • red45 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2705 W: 74 N: 8864] (30243)
  • [2007-02-03 4:32]

Hi Janice!

I'm glad to hear that your brave firefigthers contained fire. This is very serious problem also in Poland, during hot summers. In most cases people's stupidity is reason of forest fires. Camp fires or cigarettes + stupid people = danger. I like your todays photo and of course new Maori names :-)

Hi Janice, I like Tane Mahuta, this imponent Agahis, great view of this great old tree, thanks, very well done, have a nice week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • dew77 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 4774 W: 294 N: 4020] (13209)
  • [2007-02-03 14:59]

Hello Janice,
This a good news.I am happy to hear that this wonderul trees and plants were rescued.Your capture is very nice and looks like a painting.I liked especially details a lot.Have a great weekend!
TFS..:-)

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5451 W: 594 N: 3649] (10029)
  • [2007-02-04 13:01]
  • [2]

Hi Janice

It is such good news to hear that the fire has been contained. Although many times big species such as this Kauri tree might survive a bush fire the truth remains that it is the smaller species that really takes a hammering and it could sometimes take nature years if not decades to restore such an environment to its previous beauty and status.

Looking at the crown of this tree it seems like it is not new to hardship and damage. Probably in its ±2,000 years of existence it has dealt with a number of bush fires and other forms of damage.

A great capture from this opening in the surrounding habitat to show this tree in all its glory.

Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Hello Janice,
I'm glad to hear that!!! Those guys make an important work. I have a bother-in-law who is a firefighter and I must say that they have their “heart on hand” (I don't know if it's an English expression..) This is a very sharp capture of those impressive trees with imposing POV. Long live to this beautiful forest! Thanks,
Claudine

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