The "exceptionally dry conditions" behind a total fire ban for the East Coast are not thought to change soon.
Yesterday a total fire ban from Central Hawke's Bay to the top of the East Cape was announced, following months of dry conditions for the region.
The Hawke's Bay Regional Council's monthly state of the environment report released yesterday showed the region had half the normal amount of rainfall during November and December, with recent strong westerly winds thought to have hastened the drying.
The ban also follows a spate of fires in recent weeks - from scrub fires in Meeanee, Clive, Gisborne, and Havelock North.
In Maraekakaho a family home was razed, while residents of the small Mahanga community near Mahia spent Sunday fighting an out-of-control fire.
When the ban comes into effect from 8am Saturday, fires in the open air are prohibited unless authorised by the principal rural fire officer.
The ban includes also includes incinerators, traditional cooking fires (such as hangi, umu, braai), solid fuel barbecues, brazier, pizza ovens, chiminea, camp fires and fireworks. All fire permits previously issued are hereby suspended.
Authorised by East Coast principal rural fire officers, the prohibition has been declared due to the current "exceptionally dry conditions" and will continue until revoked by a further notice.
However, HBRC climate scientist Kathleen Kozyniak said there had only been several "wet days" in December and early January, which had not made any difference, with no significant rain is expected in the near future".
So far this month only 4ml of rain has fallen in Napier, and 4.2ml in Hastings, MetService Meteorologist Lisa Murray said. The average amount of rainfall during January for both cities is above 60ml.
Although the month was only 11 days in, Ms Murray said the amount of rainfall "doesn't look like its going to change".
- For all fire emergencies phone 111 and quote your name and address or RAPID number in rural areas.
- For further information on rural fire prevention matters please visit checkitsalright.nz or contact your local Council Rural Fire Officer.