Dry weather conditions continue to affect the Whakatāne District, keeping the risk of fire extremely high.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Neal Yeates is reminding the public that a Prohibited Fire Season remains in force for the whole of the Whakatāne District, which includes land administered by the Department of Conservation and Pumicelands.

“Vegetation is tinder dry and even the smallest spark could ignite a fire,” Mr Yeates says. “A scrub fire at Matatā and a grass fire at Julians Berry Farm last week were quickly extinguished by the Fire Service. Fortunately, on both occasions there was very little wind to fan the fire, otherwise we may have been dealing with something major.”    

During a prohibited fire season, it’s an offence for any person to light a fire anywhere in 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, pizza ovens and burn-offs.

“With no significant rainfall in sight, a Total Fire Ban will remain in place until further notice. We ask that farmers and the general public be extra-vigilant and report any smoke sightings to Emergency Services on 111”.