A vegetation fire last week on Brookes Rd serves as a timely reminder to be aware of the weather conditions at this time of year.
While neither could comment directly on the fire on the Ngaere property last Thursday, which took about an hour for fire crews to get under control and was responded to by the Stratford brigade and rural fire crews, Kevan Old, deputy fire chief of the Stratford station, and Kieran Best, rural fire co-ordinator, agree caution is best when burning off vegetation.
Kevan says while no permits are currently required for rural fires in the Stratford District, it is best to light them early in the morning and to avoid windy days. Kieran agrees and adds it is important people supervise a fire at all times. He points out the wind direction can change suddenly and without warning.
Don't just light it and walk away, he says, and Kevan agrees, adding it is better to call 111 if you do begin to have concerns about your fire, don't hope for the best.
The brigade, says Kevan, would prefer to show up and not be needed, than be called out too late.
