FENZ is warning of “high fire danger”, with the slightest spark in windy weather capable of causing a fire that would spread very quickly.
FENZ assistant national commander Ken Cooper said warm weather, low humidity and moderate-to-strong winds – forecasted for the weekend – would add up to “continued high fire danger”.
While severe winds – which fanned the flames of fires in Canterbury and the Bay of Plenty this week – had subsided, he said a ban on all open-air fires and fireworks would remain in place in Hawke’s Bay, Wellington, Wairarapa, Marlborough and Canterbury until 9am Monday.
“That means no fires at all,” he said. “The slightest spark in windy weather can cause a fire that will spread very quickly, and be very difficult and dangerous for our crews to put out.
“We are asking every landowner, agricultural contractor, forestry manager and lifestyle block owner to please check any old burn piles to ensure they are fully extinguished, even if they are weeks old.”
The prohibition extended to BBQs, although for those still without power in residential areas, it would be permitted as a means of cooking.
Fire and Emergency urged people to only use BBQs away from vegetation and on a flat, solid surface.
In the South Island, crews were expected to stay on the scene of a fire about 4km southeast of Hamner Springs, which saw a few homes and luxury hotel Braemar Lodge evacuated on Thursday
Firegrounds at Kaikoura and Leader Road at Waiau were expected to have been handed back to landowners on Friday.
In central Hawke’s Bay, two of three fires at Porangahau had been contained on Friday, while crews at at Saleyard Bridge had worked to extend the containment of that fire before a possible wind change forecast for late in the day.
Fire risks a reminder to stay alert heading into summer
Central Hawke’s Bay Mayor Will Folely said the region had dried out earlier than usual, but the situation was a good reminder for people to stay alert for fire danger, both this weekend and in the summer ahead.
“Hawke’s Bay, we know, is traditionally a dry summer area and it’s just unfortunate we’ve dried out quicker than normal,” he said. “The summer ahead doesn’t look good for a fire risk and a dry environment.
“‘Even though we’re dry, the country side’s still quite green, but with high winds and warmer temperatures, that’ll change quite quickly in Hawke’s Bay.”
Police prepare for busy weekend
Hawke’s Bay police said they were increasing their resources in the area to cope with an influx of visitors over a weekend packed with events.
A police spokesperson said the region’s Anniversary Day, the annual Agricultural & Pastoral Society Show, as well as a Six60 concert and a gang-related celebration in Hastings meant people could expect to see additional police in the roads and patrolling events.
They said road-policing teams would set up fatigue stops and impairment checkpoints in and around Hawke’s Bay to bolster road safety over the weekend.
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