Caution urged as fire dangers peak

People lighting fires need to ensure they have an adequate water source nearby, fire officers warn.

As summer temperatures soar, fire danger in the Western Bay is at "very high" levels, with fire chiefs urging residents to take extreme caution with open air fires.

Western Bay Moana's principal rural fire officer Alan Pearce said drying vegetation across the district, fuelled by south-westerly winds, meant the fire danger risk indicators were now in the "very high" range, including Tauranga city.

Mr Pearce said rain at the end of last week was useful but did not lower the fire risk, and residents were being urged to take extreme caution when lighting fires.

"Hopefully forecasted rainfall later this week will ease the situation and in the meantime the authority will continue to issue permits on a case-by-case basis," he said.

Mr Pearce urged permit holders to check the conditions on their permit.

"The biggest risk is caused by people lighting fires in windy conditions on slopes and near vegetation.

"Burning should be conducted in the calm, early morning hours and completed as soon as possible."

The fire ground must be prepared by clearing away dry debris and wetted down.

Mr Pearce said both permitted fires and those lit in urban areas must be managed the whole time they were burning and be properly extinguished.

"If in doubt, don't light up is the message we would like to put out there," he said.

"The Rural Fire Authority will not look kindly on any person who, through carelessness or negligence, allows any fire to escape."

Mr Pearce said if a fire did get out of control those responsible would be held liable for the costs of extinguishing it and for any damage it caused to anyone else's property.

Tauranga fire safety risk manager Bill Rackham said he was in regular communications with Mr Pearce and if a total fire ban was called for he would recommend Tauranga City Council followed suit.

Mr Rackham urged anyone lighting a legal fire to not only monitor it at all times, but also ensure they had sufficient water on hand to put it out themselves.

"If the fire does get out of control, people need to have an adequate water source nearby to help the fire brigade to extinguish the fire and a clear access way to their property," he said.

Mr Rackham said people should follow the four-by-four rule - clearing an access way of at least 4m wide and 4m high area to allow fire trucks and water tankers to gain entry particularly to rural properties surrounded by lots of vegetation.