The woman who lit the fire was unaware of the total fire ban across the Far North. Further investigation would determine whether she would have to pay firefighting costs, including the helicopter.
About the same time another fire was lit in Taheke by a man trying to get rid of pampas grass, also requiring the Kaikohe brigade. The man knew about the fire ban but believed it was okay to light a fire because he was confident it would not spread.
"It's not known whether he has a qualification in fire behaviour but my guess is that he doesn't. Just as a quick note to others thinking of burning pampas: Fire doesn't kill it," he said.
Mr Lyall said he man was a time-waster who had taken volunteer firefighters away from their jobs and families, and exposed his community to risk.
If a fire had broken out at someone's home while the brigade was fighting a "dumb fire" it could take longer for them to respond, putting property and lives at risk.
On his way home Mr Lyall said he came across a third fire, this time on Old Bay Rd. The plume of smoke could be seen several kilometres away.
He helped the property owner, who knew about the fire ban, put out the blaze so the brigade did not have to be called out again.
On the whole, however, Far North residents had observed the fire ban, as evidenced by the low number of fire callouts in many areas. Only Kaitaia remained high.
"We'd like to thank those who have used their head this year ... If the public could just bear with us a little longer as we keep our foot on the throat."
The Far North would return to a restricted fire season soon which meant fires would be allowed with a permit. Permits were issued free of charge, he said.
