Some parts of the country could reach 37C. Photo / Rebekah Parsons-King, RNZ
,By RNZ
Experts are warning of extreme heat and fire risk as temperatures are forecast to soar across the country on Friday.
The highs could shatter last year’s record, which was set just last month.
MetService issued heat alerts for Friday in Whakatāne, Napier, Hastings, Motueka, Blenheim and Kaikōura, where temperatures in the low to mid-30s were expected.
It said alerts were issued when the forecasted temperature exceeded the normal average for two consecutive days.
They were put out the day before the heat was due to strike – and there would likely be more to follow on Friday and Saturday.
MetService said the heat would really ramp up over the weekend, with forecasts indicating 35C to 37C around Hawke’s Bay, 30C to 31C in Northland, and 28C to 31C for North Canterbury and Marlborough.
That could surpass last year’s record high: Kawerau hit 35.6 degrees on December 7.
The warmth was on its way from Australia, said MetService meteorologist Clare O’Connor.
“An area of high pressure is driving westerly winds over the Tasman, picking up moisture along the way and delivering that hot, moist air direct to our doorsteps,” she said.
“Some January temperature records are expected to tumble over the weekend, which highlights the extremes we could reach.”
Fire and Emergency warned that came with increased fire risk, particularly in Canterbury, Marlborough, Wairarapa, Hawke’s Bay, Tairāwhiti and Northland.
“This weekend, many parts of the country will be experiencing elevated fire danger conditions, with temperatures expected to surpass 30 degrees in some locations, wind gusts of 30km/h at times, and low humidity,” said Fire and Emergency deputy chief executive Nick Pyatt.
“These conditions are what we call a perfect storm for wildfire risk.”
People caused 97% of wildfires in Aotearoa, he said.
Pyatt urged people not to light outdoor fires, and to put off activities that could generate sparks, like mowing the lawn and using power tools.
“In these conditions, all it takes is one spark or ember to start a wildfire that will get out of control quickly and be very difficult for our crews to control.”
Fire and Emergency wildfire manager Tim Mitchell said there had been an increase in wildfires, as well as fires in more remote places.
Climate change was causing hotter, drier and more variable conditions, he said.
Other factors,, including housing sprawl into more rural areas, the increasing use of lithium ion batteries, more powerful vehicles that allow access to remote areas and technologies such as catalytic converters that mean cars run at higher temperatures are also adding to increased fire risk.
He said drivers needed to be cautious of hot exhaust pipes and undersides of cars when driving over grass.
“Kiwis really enjoy getting out into the natural environment ... their tools, whether it be an electric bike or a 4WD vehicle, that can take them to more remote locations might be a reason we’re seeing more fires in places we haven’t necessarily seen before.”
It’s thought a fire in the Whangārei Hospital carpark late last year that damaged dozens of cars was caused by a hot exhaust starting a vegetation fire.
Catalytic converters can heat up to hundreds of degrees.
“As carbon builds up in the exhaust system, to help with energy efficiency and environmental standards, vehicles do what’s called a burn-out process, where it burns any carbon deposit built up in the exhaust so the systems are operating to maximum performance.
“When it does that the temperatures in the exhaust systems raise quite a lot. If that’s done at the same time as the person is driving over dry vegetation, those high temperatures contribute to sources for ignition,” Mitchell said.
He said cool and at times rainy conditions for parts of the country over Christmas may have lulled some into a false sense of security, and, while it meant Canterbury was not as dry as it can be, the high temperatures, winds and relative humidity were enough to push the fire danger in eastern areas of the South Island into extreme.
Paid firefighters are due to strike for an hour from 12pm-1pm on Friday, amid ongoing negotiations over pay and conditions between the Professional Firefighters’ Union and Fire and Emergency NZ.
Fire and Emergency asked the union to call it off given heightened fire risks and the fact both parties are due to meet for facilitation later this month.
But the union’s national secretary, Wattie Watson, said the strike would go ahead.
She said there was increased fire risk all the time because of insufficient staffing and equipment from Fire and Emergency NZ.
Watson said members take the industrial action very seriously, and did not have another option for putting pressure on Fire and Emergency NZ before bargaining.
Wellingtonians were treated to a rare still, sunny day on Thursday.
Churton Park residents Emma and Harry headed to Oriental Bay to soak up the sun.
“Such a beautiful day, not much wind,” Emma said.
It was far busier than usual at this time of year, she said.
Inspired by the conditions, Harry took an impromptu dip: “Couldn’t have been better,” he said.
Jen was on the waterfront with her mum, who was visiting from Scotland.
“No wind, which is lovely, just enjoyed coffee and ice cream and soaking [up] the vibes of the beach,” she said.
Christchurch family Emily, Nathan, Lexi and Xavier were joined by grandmother Betty-Ann, who was visiting from England.
They ordered an ice cream and said it had been a beautiful day at the beach – much warmer than the -3 degrees Betty-Ann had left back home.
Crews were still working hard to clear logs and driftwood from Gisborne beaches after last weekend’s storm before the scorching weekend, the district council said.
Waikanae and Midway beaches were still littered with woody debris, with people warned to stay away while it’s removed.
“Progress is slower than expected because a lot of debris is washed up high past the tide line. A lot is smaller and thicker with big logs underneath,” it said.
“There’s more debris than initially estimated too – around 8600 cubic metres of debris along 1.5kms – roughly double the last clean-up.”
The council said it was a big job and wouldn’t be completed by the weekend but crews were doing their best to clear space for beach-goers.
Gisborne will also host the national surfing championships this weekend.