First fire warning of the season

Rubbish fires like this one in Kaikohe last week are not what the Northern Rural Fire Authority wants to see. Photo / Debbie Beadle

Warm, windy weather across Northland has prompted the first Be Safe With Fire message from the Northern Rural Fire Authority.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Myles Taylor said last week that while the Far North might seem to have had plenty of rain, and was still looking green, winds were drying it out quickly, and people were asked to act sensibly and be vigilant.

Unattended rubbish fires were already causing problems, especially those adjacent to gorse, kikuyu and manuka.

Mr Taylor suggested that flammable vegetation around homes should be kept to a minimum, ideally with a 20m defendable space.

His warning came just before firefighters were dispatched to Orrs Road, Kaikohe, on Wednesday, where a resident was burning household rubbish, including a sofa and a large quantity of plastic, on a badly overgrown neighbouring section. The fire produced enough black smoke to be seen all over Kaikohe.

Dry vegetation raised the risk of the flames spreading to the unoccupied house (owned by the police). The Kaikohe Fire Brigade, which was already attending to a tree fire in Thorpe Road, sent one of the appliances to the address.

Meanwhile Mr Taylor said there was never any shortage of fuel for fires, and even green vegetation would burn, given the right conditions.

Those who are planning hangi, backyard fires and farm burn-offs were urged not to be complacent about the fire risk, particularly on windy days when a fire could quickly get out of control.

Those responsible for an out of control fire would be invoiced for the cost of fighting it.

Currently the Far North's Zone 1 is covered by a restricted fire season, meaning all fires must have a permits.

There are no restrictions in Zone 2, but the Rural Fire Authority could soon declare a restricted season which will be advertised via newspapers, radio, Facebook and www.northernrfa.org.nz

In case of a fire emergency call 111, and if in doubt about the fire season status, check www.havingafire.org.nz or call (09) 401-0723.