Saturday, Feb 7, 2015
Since Sept 1879
Retail $2 Home delivered from 95c
THE INDEPENDENT VOICE OF MID CANTERBURY
A taste of other cultures
www.guardianonline.co.nz
WEEKEND
Mid Cantabrians turned out en mass yesterday for the annual Multi Cultural Bite in Ashburton to sample food and enjoy cultural performances from around the world. FULL STORY
P3
Wind hits annual fly-in P4
Fire call answered BY TONI WILLIAMS
TONI.W@THEGUARDIAN.CO.NZ
On track to Rio via Paris
P20
Seven Mid Canterbury rural firefighters headed north yesterday to help battle a fire raging in Marlborough since Wednesday. They were all members of the district’s rural fire units with three from Mayfield, two from Ashburton and one each from Lauriston and Pendarves. Principal rural fire offer Don Geddes said the firefighters had gone to provide manpower to crews already on the ground in Marlborough. They were flown to Blenheim by commer-
cial airline. Mr Geddes said the Marlborough Rural Fire Unit had called for a National Incident Management Team to take over control of the situation and South Canterbury Rural Fire, led by chief Rob Hand had gone up to take over. “They have had a few other fires (recently) and we got the opportunity to give their guys a break,” Mr Geddes said. The fire began late Wednesday on forestry land owned by Nelson Forests Ltd. Hot temperatures and windy conditions in Marlborough had provided
volatile conditions for their firefighters. The region was very dry and, with a supply of dry pine and eucalyptus trees to fuel the fire, it was expected to take days to bring under control. Helicopters and monsoon buckets were being used to douse the fire: although one crashed on Thursday while refilling. The pilot survived the crash and had only minor injuries. Mid Canterbury’s rural firefighters were available over the long weekend to help and were expected back on Sunday. Ph 03 307 7900 to subscribe!
Weather: High 25˚ - Overnight 11˚ Page 42
Puzzles: Page 43
Television: Page 40-41
Family Notices: Page 42
www.guardianonline.co.nz