Tuesday, March 19, 2024

Fire risk high

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Fire and Emergency NZ is urging farmers to put paddock burn-offs and vegetation fires on hold as scorching weather continues to dry out Northland. Deputy principal fire officer Wayne Martin says using fire as a land clearing tool for paddock burn-offs should be restricted at this time of year.
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“We understand they’ve got to burn the grasses like kikuyu but when it comes to doing big burns like downed trees, do those around winter or late autumn when temperatures drop and we get the heavy dews in the morning.”

Farmers are encouraged to burn rubbish and vegetation during an open fire season, when there is less risk, Martin says.

Northland now has  a restricted fire season, which means residents wanting to light an outdoor fire must get a permit. Restricted fire seasons are also in place in other regions.

Permits are free and can be obtained online at www.checkitsalright.nz or by phoning 0800 658 628.

“With the conditions at the moment, particularly since Christmas, we haven’t had any rain and we’ve had high temperatures and afternoon winds. Northland is drying out. 

“People need to start being more vigilant around getting permits and question whether they really need to be burning rubbish at this time of year.”

In the Far North, a scrub fire at Taipa recently burned through one hectare of land and a huge fire at Matawai, south of Kaikohe, burned through 60 hectares of bush and took four days to extinguish.

Deputy principal rural fire officer Clinton Lyall says its important people check their fire status to see if they need a permit to light an outdoor fire.

“It’s indicative of how dry things are and how quickly things can get out of control.

“Even though the grass seems to be fairly green … it’s deceptive.

“It’s the hot temperatures and the low humidity in the later parts of the day driven by wind.”

MetService predicts the weather will continue to be hot and dry and Martin says the conditions are a concern. 

A wet spring in Northland caused lots of vegetation growth and the long grass is now starting to dry out and become a fire hazard. 

He encourages farmers to keep their paddocks mowed. 

“The grass is starting to dry and the chances of a fast-moving fire in grass and scrub is starting to rise.”

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To keep track of the fire danger and weather conditions in your area visit fireweather.niwa.co.nz

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