Source: Radio New Zealand
A fire ban has been declared for most of the Queenstown Lakes district. RNZ / Nate McKinnon
A fire ban has been declared for most of the Queenstown Lakes district amid warnings of recent near misses.
Firefighters and helicopters fought to control a vegetation fire near houses at Arthurs Point on Tuesday, while a burn-off escaped at Arrow Junction last Friday.
District Commander Craig Gold said both fires threatened structures and affected local trails.
“The vegetation across the Lakes Zone is primed and ready to burn,” he said.
“The risks and consequences of any fire in these conditions far outweigh any benefit in terms of land management or recreation.”
The prohibited fire season for Lakes Zone begins at 8am on Thursday.
Outdoor fires were also banned in the neighbouring zone covering the Central Otago District.
Gold urged people not to be fooled by the lower temperatures over the summer and occasional rainy day, saying the vegetation was very dry.
March was predicted to be drier than normal.
“Community safety is our primary concern and the best way we can keep the community safe in these conditions is to stop fires from starting,” Gold said.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
