Source: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is moving the Manawatū-Whanganui coastal zone into a restricted fire season at 8am today, Wednesday 25 March, until further notice.
Levin, Foxton, Sanson and Bulls are excluded as they fall within inland zones.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and Emergency to light an open-air fire.
Announcing the change, Acting Community Risk Manager Barry Madgwick says the coastal zone has been subject to a long dry spell in recent months.
“These conditions mean the fire risk is increased,” he says.
“The coastal zone has forestry plantations, scrub, pasture grassland, tussock and marram grasses – all of which are fuel for serious fires. We are now starting to see an increasing number of fires getting out of control, which can happen at this time of year.
“Having a restricted fire season gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns.”
“We are asking the public to take extra care during these conditions.
“The rest of the Manawatū-Whanganui district is also dry and further restrictions may follow if the current conditions continue,” Barry Madgwick says.
The public can apply for a permit at www.checkitsalright.nz
For fire safety tips and more information about the activities you can and can’t do in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz.
