Friday, March 29, 2024

It’s green but maybe not for long

Neal Wallace
It might be the middle of summer but most of the country is still under an open fire season though Fire and Emergency is warning abundant vegetation growth could very quickly become potential fire fuel.
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Usually, by mid-January dry conditions mean most of the country has fire controls, Fire and Emergency rural operations manager John Rasmussen said.

This year half the country can still light fires in the open without a permit because regular rain has kept vegetation green.

But Rasmussen said those conditions can change very quickly as summer gets drier.

“I can virtually guarantee somewhere in the country will get really dry.”

Following ample summer growth there is plenty of potential fuel.

Northland and parts of coastal Manawatu and Taranaki are dry but traditional dry areas of the South Island at Nelson, Tasman, Marlborough and Central Otago are wetter than usual.

Farmers should cut back vegetation and create fire breaks around buildings but be careful with machinery that could ignite a fire.

“It’s not dire at the moment but we could get there pretty quickly if the tap is turned off.”

Rasmussen says the website www.checkitsalright.nz provides updated information on the fire season status and allows permits to be applied for online while up-to-date weather observations, forecasts and information on the fire danger can be found at www.fireweather.niwa.co.nz.

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