Investigation into Pigeon Valley Fire classifies it as accidental

13 August 2019

An investigation into one of New Zealand’s largest plantation forest fires has classified the fire as accidental.

The Pigeon Valley Fire, which began on the afternoon of 5 February, eventually burned around 2300ha of commercial plantation forest, property and pastures, and had a final perimeter of 35km. A home and shed were also lost in the fire.

Fire and Emergency Principal Rural Fire Officer for Nelson Tasman Ian Reade says the report found the fire was caused by the use of farm equipment.

The fire was initially sparked by an agricultural contractor discing a rocky paddock. The report found that sparks from the discing equipment – from metal on stone or metal on metal contact – ignited dry grass in the paddock. Fuelled by southerly winds, the fire then quickly spread onto a steep recently harvested hillside of forestry nearby.

“This fire proves that, in extreme weather conditions, a seemingly every-day rural activity can end up causing widespread damage,” Mr Reade says.

The weather conditions in the area during the six weeks prior to the fire were characterised by little or no rainfall, high temperatures, and often windy conditions. The Nelson Tasman Rural Fire District was in a prohibited fire season at the time, meaning there was a total fire ban.

“It was the proverbial perfect storm.”

Mr Reade says the conditions Nelson and Tasman experienced this summer were extreme, but not unique. Parts of Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago, Bay of Plenty and Northland all had similar fire risk profiles.

It is likely these conditions will become increasingly common during summer in many parts of New Zealand, particularly on the eastern seaboard, he says.

“It’s important people take heed of our advice, which focuses on reducing the likelihood of fires starting, and mitigating the potential damage to property if a fire occurs.

“There are many simple things people can do to prevent fires starting, from not using machinery which can emit sparks in hot, dry and windy conditions, to ensuring electric fences are not in a position or used where they could spark onto dry vegetation.

“Steps can also be taken to protect property from a fire, such as removing material near the home that could be ignited by flying embers, for example leaves in gutters, firewood heaps by the house or timber stored under the house.”

He says the most at-risk areas are properties which have large areas of grass, scrub or trees nearby.

“One very simple approach is to create a safety zone around your home, where trees and vegetation have been thinned out, pruned or cleared to create a barrier so the spread of fire towards the home is slowed.”

Landscaping using fire resistance plants is also another very effective strategy, he says.

For more information on rural fire safety, go to www.fireandemergency.nz/farms-rural-properties-and-rural-businesses

Fire and Emergency has also released fire investigation reports into two other fires that occurred in February at Atawhai and Rabbit Island, in Nelson. It is likely both these fires were deliberately lit.

Note: The Pigeon Valley Fire and Atawhai reports are split into two documents on our website because of the size of each report. This is the second half of the Pigeon Valley Fire report and this is the second half of the Atawhai report.