Home : News : Recent fire sparks concern for long hot summer ahead
16 November 2006
Hastings District Council’s Emergency Management team are warning the long, hot and dry summer ahead will bring with it the constant threat of fire.
With no substantial periods of rain showing in the weather forecasts, the risk of fire has been elevated.
Strong winds and high temperatures are adding to the concern as they help spread fires very rapidly, even where vegetation appears to be green on the surface.
A fire on Tuesday 14 November at Crownthorpe Settlement Road saw two hectares of land burnt. Thirty fire fighters with three fire appliances, three fire tankers and a helicopter battled the fire for over six hours.
Hastings District Senior Emergency Management Officer Paul Hawke suspects the fire was caused by trees clashing with power lines creating sparks which in turn ignited vegetation beneath the lines.
“We ask people to please check that trees and branches remain well clear of power lines during strong winds. Any loose vegetation is a real concern, especially in this very dry weather,“ said Mr Hawke.
“We would prefer that people did not burn from now on. Strong winds can reignite embers from fires which have been lit in previous weeks or even months.”
If there is a need to burn it is important in the first instance people contact Emergency Management Officers for advice.
For more information
Jessica Soutar Barron
Communications Officer
(06) 878 0510 ex. 8629
027 275 5205
