Pōrangahau blaze: Fire and Emergency New Zealand warns against Labour Weekend complacency

The coastal settlement of Pōrangahau is still taking every caution due to vegetation fires in the area. Photo / Tania Anne.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is warning against complacency this long weekend after a hectic few days fighting fires in Pōrangahau.

Fire and Emergency assistant national commander Ken Cooper said while there was a lot of wind across the country, not a lot of rain fell in places, “particularly on the east coast of both islands, where we needed it most.

“The wind has continued to dry out those areas and the forecast for the long weekend is for warm weather, low humidity and moderate to strong winds.

“All that adds up to continued high fire danger, so I reiterate my request for vigilance from the public.”

A ban on all open-air fires and fireworks remains in place until 9am on Monday for Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury.

“That means no fires at all.

“The slightest spark in windy weather can cause a fire that will spread very quickly and be very difficult and dangerous for our crews to put out.

“We are asking every landowner, agricultural contractor, forestry manager and lifestyle block owner to please check any old burn piles to ensure they are fully extinguished - even if they are weeks old.”

At mid-afternoon Friday in Pōrangahau there was no spread or change in the three fires near the settlement.

There were about 43 staff on the ground for firefighting operations, supported by an incident management team of seven.

Bush Road and Schaeffer Rd fires are fully contained.

The Saleyard Bridge fire was 50% contained and there were 33 firefighters working to extend the containment line.

The cause of the fires is under investigation.

On Thursday, Eastern District Police asked people not to travel to Pōrangahau this long weekend due to enduring scrub fires and windy conditions in the coastal settlement.

Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Foley was in the area on Wednesday.

“That community is amazing,” Foley said.

“Even though the Saleyard Bridge fire was sending a lot of smoke into the village, they were calm and collected.”

The community was showing resilience under the pressure of yet another adverse event, and had rallied to support the fire crews with food, hot showers and accommodation, he said.