Perhaps most worrying is that one person in five felt the signs didn't apply to them; that they were for others, like smokers or campers or "reckless people".
And two thirds of people we talked to said that the signs did not alert them to the possibility that that they might need to change their behaviour. People were also very uncertain as to what they should or shouldn't do at each fire danger level, other than for low or extreme.
We also found that the signs were not particularly effective for visitors. This is a specific concern in summer when people are moving around the country and the fire danger is often very high or extreme.
"The challenge is to get people to take notice of the fire danger signs; to make them aware of local conditions, and what they can do to prevent wildfires from starting."
Rural Fire Authorities, led by the National Rural Fire Authority, have responded to these research findings by developing new television advertising, YouTube clips, roadside signs and some FireSmart activities.
The emphasis is now "check it's alright before you light".
Further work by the Rural Fire Research Group has focused on how to communicate wildfire messages more effectively. We considered who was using fire, what they needed to know about fire risk, restrictions and other actions to prevent fires, as well as being prepared for a fire if one should occur.
Most people are not fire users, but that can change on holiday. It is holidaymakers who light campfires and set off fireworks that could start a wildfire. And holidaymakers tend to be visitors to an area. One communication challenge is to increase the awareness of visitors to the fire danger in the area they are in.
Lisa's advice for a safe summer is:
-Find out about current fire danger and fire restrictions in your area and places you might be visiting by contacting your local Rural Fire Authority or council, or check out the National Rural Fire Authority's website www.nrfa.org.nz.
-Don't park vehicles on dry flammable material like long grass. One in every six wildfires is started by a vehicle.
-Leave fireworks at home. Incendiary devices cause at least 6 per cent of wildfires.
-Check whether you are able to use solid fuel barbecues, braziers or campfires. These are generally not allowed to be used during restricted or prohibited fire seasons.
-Be careful with cigarettes, matches and lighters.
-Remember, if you are found to be responsible for starting a wildfire, you could have to pay the cost of putting it out and for any damage incurred.
- Carry a fire extinguisher in your car or pack one with your camping gear.
-And if you have any doubt as to whether you should light a camp or beach fire - don't!
If you see or start a wildfire, call 111 immediately, and make sure you and others are safe. Wildfires can spread very quickly, sometimes faster than people can run.
-Lisa Langer is a fire scientist who led a Scion Rural Fire Research Group. Scion is a Crown research institute that undertakes research, science and technology development in forestry, wood products, biomaterials and bioenergy.
-Business and civic leaders, organisers, experts in their field and interest groups can contribute opinions. The views expressed here are the writer's personal opinion and not the newspaper's. Email: editor@hbtoday.co.nz.
