15 Jan 2018

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Recent rain has eased the fire risk across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula but authorities say it will only take a few hot nor’west days to push it up again.

“There is still a lot of summer to go and conditions can change quickly,’’ says Darrin Woods, Principal Rural Fire Officer for the Christchurch/Selwyn Rural Fire District.

“If we get a return to the kind of weather we had before Christmas when temperatures were routinely in the high 20s and early 30s the countryside will very quickly dry out, escalating the fire risk.

“It is important people report any fires or smoke to 111 immediately. We’re also asking that on hot days, particularly when its windy, people take extreme care when doing any activities that may produce sparks such as grinding, welding or even mowing laws on stony ground,’’ says Mr Woods.

A restricted fire season has been in place across Christchurch City, Selwyn, Hurunui and Waimakariri districts since the beginning of December.  This means people must apply for a permit if they want to light a fire in open air.

Anyone who lights a fire without a permit can expect a visit from Fire and Emergency New Zealand. They will extinguish any fire that does not meet the conditions of the restricted fire season.

To find out how to apply for a fire permit go to www.checkitsalright.nz. If you don’t have access to the website, call Fire and Emergency New Zealand on 0800 658 628.

Mr Woods says Fire and Emergency New Zealand is constantly monitoring the conditions and will consider changes to the fire season status if further forecast rain arrives over the coming weeks and countryside continues to green up.