Calls to backyard rubbish fires in Whanganui have increased during lockdown. Photo / File
Firefighters are pleading with Whanganui residents to hold fire on burning rubbish in their backyard.
Whanganui Fire and Emergency has had an increased number of callouts to backyard rubbish fires since the Covid-19 alert level 4 lockdown began.
"We are getting a similar number of smoke-nuisance calls to what we
get over the traditional holiday breaks," assistant area commander Shane Dudley said.
"Under alert level 4 people have more time at home to tackle jobs around the house and garden which, combined with a temporary reduction of recycling and green waste disposal services, is leading them to burn rubbish and garden waste in their backyards.
"We have to investigate every report of smoke, and attending nuisance backyard fires puts fire crews at unnecessary risk during the time when they are required to limit contact with the public during Covid-19 alert level 4.
