Parts of Hawke’s Bay to move to restricted fire season
8 Whiringa-ā-rangi 2024
Parts of Hawke’s Bay will enter a restricted fire season at 8am on Monday, 11 November, until further notice.
These areas are:
- Wairoa Coast
- Esk-Tutaekuri
- Heretaunga-Ahuriri
- Tukituki West
Please see the attached map for an overview of these areas.
A restricted fire season means anyone planning on lighting an open-air fire will need to apply for and obtain a permit. You can apply for one at www.checkitsalright.nz.
If anyone is unclear about if they are inside a restricted zone, they can enter their address at www.checkitsalright.nz after 8am on Monday to find out what fire season they are in.
Hawke’s Bay District Manager Glen Varcoe says the decision to move these zones into a restricted season is due to prolonged dry conditions, warmer temperatures, drying winds, and lack of rainfall.
"We’ve seen a lot of grass growth, which is now drying out," Glen Varcoe says.
"This increases the risk of a fire igniting and spreading quickly. Although some rain is forecast in the near future, it may be isolated and may not alleviate existing conditions."
Glen Varcoe says the public needs to be conscious of the surrounding fire risk conditions and consider if they need to light a fire.
"Everyone must visit www.checkitsalright.nz to check the daily fire risk conditions and see if they require a permit in their location.
"Even if you are not in the restricted zone, it may still be too dangerous to light a fire. If in doubt, don’t light.
"If people have checked the conditions and it is safe to complete a burn, please make sure you have a water source to put it out and maintain it over the day.
"Additionally, once the fire is out, please re-check the burn area for the next few days afterwards to make sure no re-ignition is possible."