Fire in wetlands a recurring threat.

18/03/2010
We wish to share our gratitude with our neighbour at Mangarakau, Sally Everett.
In a letter to the Network Manager of power supplier Network Tasman Sally said,

Dear Murray,

We are situated at the outlet of the Mangarakau Swamp, a wetland area of great ecological importance which is unfortunately very prone to fires. 

Last night our power went off at 8.30 . At about midnight the gentleman from the power board arrived at our door asking for a container of water ! I understand that he identified the line that the fault was on and rather than just disconnecting it (he knew it just supplied the neighbors wool shed) he went up and discovered that the pole was on fire and he then called the fire brigade.
The pole was in the middle of some very dry scrub adjacent to the wetland. If he hadn't been so conscientious it could have been disastrous for the area and set the reforestation work that the 'Friends of the Swamp' have been doing, back by years.
This area contains many rare and endangered flora and fauna . In short -  the man is a Hero and we would like you to thank him from everyone out here in Mangarakau.
Yours Sally Everett  
And thanks from NZNFRT to Sally for alerting the Network to the fault.