Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s Wellington and Hawke’s Bay Districts have enforced a total ban on outdoor fires and fireworks from midday today until 8am on Monday 27 October.
It comes as winds are forecast to exceed 100km/hr in many places, with high temperatures and low humidity creating very high fire risk conditions.
Hawke’s Bay has already seen significant fires from the windy conditions on Tuesday, while firefighters were stretched across the Wellington region, including the Wairarapa and Kapiti Coast, responding to weather-related callouts.
The prohibition means no new outdoor fires can be lit. People must also check their previous burns for signs of reignition.
Hawke’s Bay Community Risk Manager Nigel Hall says they need the public’s help to ease the load on their firefighters.
“Anyone who has had an outdoor fire since the beginning of September is asked to go and check today that it is completely out,” he says.
“If you see any sign of heat or smoke, please act immediately to fully wet down the site. If this is not possible, call 111 so that firefighters can assist.”
Wellington Community Risk Manager Phil Soal says the community can also help by refraining from letting off fireworks as part of Diwali celebrations while the fireworks ban is in place.
“People planning outdoor activities over the long weekend should remember that all campfires and bonfires are also prohibited,” he says.
The prohibitions are in addition to the ones in place in Marlborough, Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury for the same time period.
