People breaching a Kaipara fire ban are risking jail and costs of up to $100,000.
The Kaipara district is subject to a prohibited fire season which began on April 8 and will remain in force until the fire risk reduces.
The Dargaville Volunteer Fire Brigade has attended several fires since the ban came into effect.
Two were vehicles that had been torched or caught fire after they were dumped.
Dargaville Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief fire officer Jeff Palmer said he could not believe the feeble excuse one person had given him in connection with another of the fires.
"You wouldn't believe it but someone told me that they don't have a radio for religious reasons but I'm afraid ignorance is no excuse," he said.
Mr Palmer said the fire index in the Kaipara was between very high and extreme and people needed to take extra care.
Under the provisions of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, people faced up to six months imprisonment or a $2000 fine and costs associated with extinguishing fires, Kaipara District Council chief executive officer Jack McKerchar said.
Depending on the severity of the fire, costs could reach up to $100,000,
"We will prosecute, there is no doubt about that because there is no excuse for this kind of ignorance as we have clearly given notice of the ban," he said.
Mr McKerchar said one fire which was threatening vegetation around the Kai Iwi Lakes had been burning for more than a week.
A bulldozer had created a fire break between the burning vegetation and the threatened lot.
"People don't realise that flames can get into the trees and spread quickly which could result in serious consequences," he said.
The only fires allowed had to be completely contained, or cultural fires such as hangi.
Kaipara District Council principal rural fire officer Blair King said the escalating costs to the community of fires lit by people without thinking were huge.
"People don't stop to think and when they light these fires they don't see it as arson and although many may have the best of intentions the danger to nearby vegetation is endless," he said.
Mr King said one of the five fires required eight firefighting volunteers doing 48 man hours, two appliances and a helicopter to extinguish the fire which continued to burn for some time afterwards.
"On two occasions vehicles had been torched in the middle of forest areas - one on a private farm and the other on a private timberlands forest which became very difficult to control," he said.
Details of the fire ban can be obtained from the Kaipara District Council offices at Dargaville and Kaiwaka.
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