Restricted Fire Season from 8 January 2010
Near drought conditions, coupled with low soil moisture and dry vegetation in the Hastings District, has raised fire danger to a point where restrictions have been imposed for lighting outdoor fires.
Both the NZ Fire Service and the Council Rural Fire Authority are concerned about amounts of dry dead vegetation now prevalent in many parts of the district, especially on the Heretaunga Plains and in coastal areas.
Alternating rain and sunshine late last year helped to promote extra growth of vegetation in parts of the district. The layer of dry dead fuel underneath new growth is now of concern as it can trick people into thinking fires are safe.
Paul Hawke, Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer at Hastings District Council, said that until now cooler temperatures had helped to keep the fire risk low allowing unpermitted fires, but that it had now become too dangerous.
“Return of traditional hot dry North-Westerly winds to Hawke’s Bay has now increased fire danger conditions and the risk of a fire occurring is now very high. We ask people not to light any type of outdoor fire without a permit”, said Mr Hawke.
A Restricted Fire Season has been imposed from 8am Friday 8th January 2010 and will be reviewed on a daily basis.
Permit applications should be made to council offices allowing for up to 3days for the application to be processed.
For more information:
Paul Hawke
Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer
027 4466 413
06 871 5000
