Fire bans across top of south
Bans and restrictions on outdoor fires will come into force across most of Marlborough, Nelson and Tasman on Wednesday morning.
All of Marlborough south of the Wairau River, and the flat land east of SH1 between Tuamarina and Rārangi, would be in a prohibited fire season from 8am on Wednesday. The region north of the river would be in a restricted fire season.
In Nelson Tasman, the Coastal, Waimea and Nelson North zones, including the city of Nelson, Richmond, Brightwater, Māpua, Motueka and stretching across to the Mount Arthur range in the west, would be in a restricted season. Most of the rest of the Tasman District was already in a restricted fire season, which would remain in force.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand district manager Grant Haywood said the restrictions were in response to the increasing risk of wildfires.
The top of the south was experiencing high fire danger due to the hot and dry weather, Haywood said, and he asked the whole community to do their bit to help prevent fires.
“If anyone sees signs of smoke, please call 111 immediately.”
Haywood said permits that had already been issued for open fires in parts of Marlborough that were currently under a restricted fire season would be suspended when the prohibited season came into effect.
“Most of Nelson-Tasman and the rest of Marlborough would be covered by restricted fire seasons, so fire permits would be required for almost all outdoor fires,” he said.
“Extreme care must be taken with fires in any areas where fires are still allowed.”
Haywood said farmers, orchardists, contractors and forestry managers were being reminded to check the sites of any old fires to make sure they were fully extinguished and they should rake them out and wet them down if there was any sign of heat.
Holidaymakers and locals alike also had a part to play in preventing fires, he said.
“Yesterday’s fire in the dunes at Tahunanui Beach showed just how quickly a fire can take hold, and how much damage it can cause.
“97% of wildfires in New Zealand are caused by humans, and it only takes one spark.”
Haywood said activities such as welding and grinding should not be carried out near dry vegetation and even parking a car in long grass could cause a fire if the hot exhaust came into contact with the grass.
“From 8am tomorrow, open fires will be banned in the areas covered by a prohibited fire season,” he said.
“There are some exceptions for cultural cooking fires but the ban includes fireworks.
“Permits will be required for all open fires in the areas covered by a restricted fire season, including camp fires and bonfires, with some exceptions for cultural cooking fires.”
People could go to www.checkitsalright.nz to see what conditions applied to any particular location, he said.
By Andy Brew, Nelson Mail
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