Warning over ‘controlled’ fires: 13 fires in 30 days across Hawke’s Bay

Emergency services are issuing a burn-off warning ahead of a windy weather forecast for the weekend. Photo / Paul Taylor

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging people to remain vigilant after a 30-day period in Hawke’s Bay saw 13 fires caused by controlled or previous burns.

The organisation issued a statement on Friday urging caution when burning off paddocks and vegetation with high winds forecast across the country this weekend.

Acting service delivery wildfire manager Rachael Thorp said people should stay heed the warnings when planning a burn.

“Ensure you check the weather conditions before you burn and if you’re in any doubt, then hold off until more favourable conditions are present,” she said.

“If you’ve already completed a burn, we urge you to continue to check it as the chance of reignition is high.

“It’s important to remember burying embers under dirt may not extinguish the fire. Especially with the high winds predicted this weekend, this can disturb the soil, pick the embers up and carry them in the win to other ignition sources.”

People should also exercise caution when lighting any bonfires or rubbish fires. “Check the weather and don’t burn if the conditions are windy or hot.”

While fire season changes are yet to take place for most of the country, people should not allow an open fire season to make them complacent, Thorp said.

On Thursday alone, a helicopter was needed to fight an out-of-control burn near Cheviot, Canterbury, while in Clutha, Otago, a vegetation fire was started by a reignited burn.

A restricted fire season has already been declared for the Upper Waitaki and Central fire zones of Otago, with fire permits suspended for those areas until Sunday at 8am due to very high fire danger.

• For fire safety tips and to check the fire danger in your area go to checkitsalright.nz.