Fire Ban – let’s be careful out there Northland
The Northland Region Fire Service and Principle Rural Fire Officers request your help in notifying the public that the drought and fire bans will continue in spite of the minor rains predicted for Northland this week.
The current Northland conditions, as shown in the Fire Severity Ratings Graph for Whangarei, depicted for four years, are the highest they have been in at least 20 years, according Auckland based Rural Fire Manager Rob Goldring.
The danger is not only above ground, but in the soil as plants and roots dry out allowing grass fires to spread underground and making it unlikely that initial rains, especially if heavy, will actually penetrate and moisten the soils.
In soils where peat can be metres deep, the peat acts as fuel and fires spread rapidly underground. Such fires get into tree roots and may take months to put out, while individual trees must be dug out and extinguished.
A minimum of 150mm of rain spread over a week, with additional rains forecast would be required before fire bans are lifted. Light rains followed by dry, windy conditions will not alleviate our present situation.
Dry plants such as gorse, kanuka and manuka in coastal areas will quickly catch alight in present conditions as will dry grasses in paddocks and along road sides. The public should be warned not to toss out cigarette butts or matches.
The Fire Officers thank the public who are helping spread the word of the fire ban and who are letting them know about others who are flaunting or may be unaware of the fire bans.
Please note the fire ban extends to Chinese lanterns, fireworks and incinerators.
Tourists throughout Northland may be unaware of these conditions and the combined Fire Services ask that all tourism operators please be sure to spread the word and avoid the spread of fire.
If you see smoke or fire, or individuals unwilling to extinguish fires or otherwise flouting the fire ban, dial 111. If you require more information, please contact your local Council or fire station.
For more information :
Rob Goldring | Manager Rural Fire| Auckland PO Box 68 444| 2 Poynton Terrace | Auckland City |DDI + 64-(9)-3025172| Cell Phone + 64 021-959 219 | • Fax: +64-9-3025130 | E-mail rob.goldring@fire.org.nz<mailto:rob.goldring@fire.org.nz>
PRESS RELEASE Supplied by:
Sandra Bogart
Northland Region Fire Service Communications Advisor 09 432 0115 021 041 4925
