Source: Auckland Council
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has moved Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland into a restricted fire season from Thursday 16 January until further notice.
A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz.
Fire and Emergency’s Te Hiku Region Manager Ron Devlin says outdoor fires will be restricted in the Waitematā, Auckland City and Counties Manukau districts due to the high fire risk throughout Auckland at present.
“While there is some rain forecast next week, this isn’t going to be enough to counter the effects of the recent warm, dry weather,” he says.
“We continually monitor the weather conditions throughout the region, and keep an eye on how quickly vegetation is drying out.
“Right now, we consider flammable vegetation such as mānuka, kānuka and grass, and forestry areas as being particularly high risk, as these burn easily, spread fast, and can be really difficult to contain.”
The Hauraki Gulf Islands remain in a prohibited fire season, which means all outdoor fires are banned on the islands.
“If you’re thinking about starting a fire, you must go to www.checkitsalright.nz first to find out if you can, and what restrictions apply,” Ron Devlin says.
“There’s also excellent safety advice, which I strongly urge people to follow, to help us keep Tāmaki Makaurau fire-free this summer.”
An image from the end of Anawhata Road, taken on Thursday 16 January 2025, shows the devastation caused by a fire to native vegetation on the headland.
Fire risk prompts warning from regional parks rangers
As a total fire ban applies to the Auckland region , Auckland Council rangers are reminding visitors to avoid taking any risks with barbecues, fireworks and fires in remote park areas to prevent further damage from outbreaks.
Scott De Silva, Regional Parks Manager, says uncontrolled recent fires at Te Henga Bethells Beach, Long Bay and at Anawhata Beach show how quickly fires can spread at the height of summer.
“We are urging people to be sensible and mindful of the dry conditions, especially now that Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s fire restrictions have been extended.
“Remote locations, uneven terrain, and difficult access to water present a serious challenge to fight fires in our regional parks. Despite this, the support we receive from Fire and Emergency NZ in response to these incidents has been fantastic,” says Scott.
Fire and Emergency placed the season’s first fire restrictions in Tāmaki Makaurau on 2 December across the Hauraki Gulf islands, which remain in place.
With a shift to a La Niña weather pattern, from last summer’s El Niño, bringing warmer than normal temperatures over much of the country, any rainfall during the summer months is unlikely to prevent vegetation from drying out.
“Don’t take the risk of lighting any fires or fireworks – just one spark can get out of control so quickly and have devastating consequences for the safety of people, their livelihoods and of course, the flora and fauna we are trying to protect,” says Scott.
What does a total fire ban mean?
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Open fires are prohibited in all public areas throughout Auckland
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This includes on beaches and foreshores, in parks, conservation areas and forests
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It’s prohibited to light fireworks in any public places.
Firewise tips
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Avoid any outdoor activity that could cause a spark.
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Leave portable barbecues at home.
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Only use established barbecues at parks and beach areas to cook food.
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If you see smoke that could be a threat, dial 111.
Visit checkitsalright.nz for updates to the fire season (currently prohibited, a total fire ban).
