Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) wildfire specialist Graeme Still says NZ weather is influenced by a number of drivers of which La Nina will be one, and it will be felt greatest on the east of the South Island.
“This summer, La Nina is the predominant weather feature,” Still said.
“This means we are expecting the East Coast of the South Island, in particular Otago and South Canterbury, to be the highest risk areas this season.”
“However, it is important to remember that NZ’s weather is influenced by a number of drivers and while La Nina may be the predominant feature, others will dominate at times.”
Early summer dry conditions in all of Otago and Nelson and parts of Hawke’s Bay has seen restricted fire season status imposed this week, while Canterbury and Marlborough have high fire risks.
In the North Island there are dry areas in Northland, Auckland, Hauraki and Gisborne.
“If the expected La Nina rainfalls don’t occur, areas in the North Island could experience higher fire risk danger levels this summer,” he said.
Still says those living in rural communities, on lifestyle blocks, near town boundaries or large areas of scrub and bush, should protect their homes from the risk of fire.
“This includes maintaining a defendable area free of vegetation around their homes and removing flammables such as firewood from up against the house,” he said.
Regardless whether people have a permit, Still says if they are planning to have a fire or carry out activities that could produce sparks, they should first carefully consider the conditions.
“We encourage farmers to keep a close eye on the fire dangers in their areas as well as the forecast,” he said.
For farmers working during extreme fire danger periods, Still says they should not use welders, chainsaws, slashers and reduce some tractor operations.
Diesel trucks with exhausts higher than the cab should have spark-arrester shields fixed when carting hay, and harvester operators must be made aware of conditions, and therefore dangers, outside their air-conditioned cabs.
Still urged farmers and machinery operators to check bearings and moving parts to prevent sparking and to carry fire extinguishers, shovels, or knapsack sprayers during high-fire danger periods.
