Waipara fire update #3

2 Mahuru 2024

With more high winds forecast Fire and Emergency New Zealand crews will closely monitor the fire burning in a forestry block north of Waipara overnight.

Incident Commander Brian Keown says wind speeds have increased throughout the day, making firefighting efforts difficult.

"Increasing high winds are also expected overnight and early tomorrow morning which will likely see the fire size increase overnight.

"The fire remains within the forestry block and at this stage there is no threat to nearby property or structures," says Brian Keown.

"Crews will closely monitor the fire ground overnight. Multiple crews, helicopters and heavy machinery will be on site ready to continue containment efforts from the morning."

All outdoor fires are now banned in Canterbury District (from north of the Rakaia River to just south of the Clarence River) until next Monday 9 September.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibition of fires in the open air under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017.

The prohibition of open air fires in Canterbury District  will run for a week, until 11.59pm on Monday 9 September.

All previously granted fire permits are no longer valid.

This is the final update for this evening unless there are any significant changes.