Service sounds alert after fire relights

LOST: A garage destroyed by a reignited burn-off.

The Rural Fire Force is warning of the dangers of burning green and unseasoned timber after a forestry operation fire lit weeks ago smouldered to life and destroyed a building.

Martinborough Volunteer Fire Brigade and Wairarapa Rural Fire Forces from Tora and Lake Ferry were called out on Friday afternoon to a property fire on Bush Gully Rd, Hinakura.

Rural Fire Officer Grant Detheridge-Davies said a fire that had been lit "a number of weeks ago" as part of a forestry operation was fanned back into life by a strong north-westerly wind.

"A double garage used for wood storage was completely destroyed," he said.

"Other buildings that were threatened were saved by the attending fire crews.

"Two forestry crews were called in to stay on site over night to ensure the fire did not cause further damage."

He said the fire highlights the need to check the long-range weather forecast and not to leave any fire unattended.

The fire force recommends that tree stumps and heavy fuels should be burnt when the fuel is fully cured and dry enough to burn quickly and will not smoulder and burn for weeks

"The fires at Bush Gully were lit in piles of green and unseasoned fuel which resulted this incident."

Wairarapa Principal Rural Fire Officer, Phill Wishnowsky said people need to understand the risks and responsibilities when lighting a fire.

"If you light a fire you are responsible for it and the costs for suppression should the fire get out of control."