Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has moved Wairarapa into a restricted fire season as at 8am on Friday 9 January, until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire. The public can apply for a permit at www.checkitsalright.nz.
Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says recent warm and dry conditions have significantly increased fire risk across the region.
“In these conditions fire will travel fast and will be difficult for our crews to extinguish.
Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns.”
How you can help keep people and animals safe
With the hot, dry weather continuing, now’s a good time to check you’re prepared.
Here’s FENZ key messaging on how you can help keep people and animals stay safe:
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Minimize anything that could create a spark.
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Keep your grass short, clean dead leaves and debris from gutters and decks.
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Keep your driveway clear of trees and hedges for fire trucks (at least 4m x 4m clearance).
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Make sure your RAPID property number is easy for emergency services to find.
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If you see smoke, call 111, we want to extinguish fires early.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is also asking people to take extra care over the coming days:
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Check any old burns – make sure they are cold. If in doubt, rake out and wet down.
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Avoid lighting any fires outdoors – The risk will be too great this weekend.
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Avoid using machinery in hot, dry and/or windy weather or when the Fire Danger is Very High or Extreme.
If you see smoke or fire, call 111 and ask for FIRE.
Permits and more information
The public can apply for a fire permit at www.checkitsalright.nz, which also has up-to-date information about fire seasons, fire danger levels, and what activities you can and can’t do during a restricted fire season.
In addition, MPI has created a helpful planning guide for livestock, lifestyle block, horse and pet owners to prepare for an emergency fire event — covering what to do before, during and after a fire.
You can download the guide here: https://shorturl.at/BeBKV
Taking simple steps now can make a big difference in keeping our communities, properties and animals safe this summer.
