A total fire ban will be imposed throughout the Wellington region from next Wednesday.
Wellington Regional Rural Fire Committee chairman Rodger McCormack said today the fire risk had been climbing recently and the forecast for the rest of the summer was for more sunshine and periods of high winds.
It was no
longer safe to light any fires in rural areas. Permits already issued would be revoked from 4pm on February 5, he said in a statement today.
The total fire ban covers Porirua city, Hutt city, Upper Hutt city, Wellington city, the Kapiti Coast district and all Department of Conservation (DOC) land apart from the western Tararua Forest Park, which is still subject to a restricted fire season requiring a fire permit from DOC.
Mr McCormack said the ban covered every type of fire that was lit outside, including braziers, campfires, bonfires and wood-fired barbecues.
The only fires permitted were gas barbecues, charcoal barbecues within occupied residential areas, and hangi or umu with special permits from local councils.
- NZPA
