The current dry weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard for the whole of the Whakatāne District. The high risk has led Whakatāne District Council Principal Rural Fire Officer, Neal Yeates, to declare a prohibited fire season for the whole district until further notice.

“Scrub fires have already been an issue around Matatā so we need to reduce the risk of anything more serious occurring,” Mr Yeates says. “Vegetation is tinder dry and even the smallest spark could ignite a major fire. Long range weather forecasts indicate that the dry conditions could continue for some weeks, so it’s essential that we put these protection measures in place.”

During a prohibited fire season, it’s an offence for any person to light any fire within the District in the open air, or to cause or assist any person to light such a fire. This includes braziers, incinerators, charcoal barbeques, bonfires, Chinese lanterns, and burn-offs.

Forestry areas known collectively as Pumicelands, and Department of Conservation land around the District also have a Total Fire Ban in place.

“Areas of particular concern for us are the coastal strip from Port Ōhope to Ōtamarākau, Onepū, Otakiri and Galatea. Residents in these areas should be extra vigilant and immediately report any sighting of smoke.”

Mr Yeates says farmers considering doing any rotary slasher mowing should put it off. “In hot, dry conditions the blades hitting a stone or piece of metal may be enough to cause an ignition in the grass fuels. Arcing electric fences can also be a cause of ignitions in grasses growing up round the fence wires.”

He explains that all permits previously issued by the Council are cancelled and no open fires are permitted. “We’re relying on the public to assist us by reporting any smoke or fire sightings to Fire Emergency 111.”