Fire & Emergency New Zealand

Increased fire risk for Hawke's Bay

Increased fire risk for Hawke's Bay

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is asking Hawke’s Bay farmers to think twice before undertaking burn-offs.

There’s an increased risk of fire danger this weekend, due to unseasonably warm and windy conditions, paired with a lack of rainfall.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Trevor Mitchell says with temperatures expected to get close to 20 degrees, anyone planning on lighting a fire needs to be cautious.

"Due to the on-going dry conditions in the region, we have areas where dry grass is still present.

"Anywhere where dry grass is present has an escalated fire risk. This can cause a fire to quickly spread and cause unnecessary callouts."

Mr Mitchell says a fortnight ago we had similar conditions and were called to several out of control burn-offs.

"These fires threatened houses and properties.

We needed a helicopter to assist in extinguishing one of the fires."

If anyone in the community sees a fire that looks like it is getting out of control, don’t hesitate to call 111.