Fire and Emergency NZ has asked the public to be extremely careful with fires in the open this weekend with the mercury set to reach 31 degrees today and tomorrow, and with north-westerly winds.
Tairāwhiti remains in an open fire season, which means fires can be lit in the openwithout a permit.
Firefighters say the district has been drying out, as illustrated by this grass fire at Makorori in the first week of December, which is said to have started from a pile of dumped household rubbish.
FENZ have indicated they may look to change to a restricted fire season as early as next week.
Meanwhile, Gisborne District Council liveable communities director Michele Frey says the burnt dune area will be a priority in this year’s planting season — August to September.
