Fires are prohibited in Fire Zone Nine, where Upper Takaka is found. Photo / FENZ
Fires are prohibited in Fire Zone Nine, where Upper Takaka is found. Photo / FENZ
A firefighter who spent 65 hours fighting the Wakefield fires has labelled festival organisers who held a pyrotechnics display during a total fire ban "total idiots".
Fire and Emergency NZ have also said it will be investigating the fire-related activities at the Dystopia Outdoor Music Festival - which was heldin Upper Takaka, in the Nelson-Tasman district, from February 15 to 17.
The display included flames being blasted into the air by a flamethrower mounted onto the back of a ute.
A firefighter for Hira Rural Fire, who wished to remain anonymous, said those responsible should be "prosecuted to the full extent of the law".
"Do these clowns think we need another fire to deal with? Send them to jail," he said.
"We have a submersible pump with enough hose to dowse the entire site, fire blankets and extinguishers," he said.
Fires are prohibited in Fire Zone Nine, where Upper Takaka is found. Photo / FENZ
It was also stated that organisers doused the site with water all day on Friday and had a complete fire ban in all areas other than the dust bowl which was bordered in wet ground.
Pete Murdoch was approached for comment by the Herald but failed to respond.
Fire and Emergency NZ said it was aware of videos that have been posted to social media showing fire-related activities at the Dystopia.
"Fire and Emergency did not receive any 111 calls in relation to the event, or receive any reports of associated injuries or property damage," a spokesperson said.
"We are extremely concerned about risky activities with fire, given the current fire risk conditions in the area which is in a prohibited fire season.
"The current response to the Pigeon Valley fire near Richmond demonstrates how serious the potential consequences can be."
The spokesperson said FENZ would be investigating the fire-related activities at Dystopia and expect to discuss them with event organisers.
"FENZ does have some enforcement powers under its legislation but it is too early to say whether or how any of them may be used," it said.
A festival-goer, who wished not to be named, earlier told the Herald he was unaware the area had a total fire ban but the pyrotechnics "looked good and it was controlled".
"It was a fun event, many people had a blast and would love the organisers to do another one," he said.
"There was all the safety precautions taken first with water hoses and fire extinguishers. The area that there was fire was on dirt, with nothing in range of catching on fire and there were many on patrol to make sure all was good."
