The tinge of green on the hills and cooler weather have some people becoming complacent about fire risk.

Rural fire brigades in Hastings have attended about eight risky fires in the last two weeks, prompting rural fire officer Trevor Mitchell to call for people to plan ahead.

The fires attended were either unattended or burning at night – not allowed even under an open fire season. Two were on the verge of getting away when brigades arrived to put them out.

“We have had some quite risky situations. Just because the restricted fire season has been lifted we can’t suddenly think there is no need to worry. There is a green tinge to the hills but there really hasn’t been a great deal of rain and the risk is still relatively high,” says Mr Mitchell, chairman of the Eastern Regional Rural Fire Committee.

“The rules are: If you light a fire you are responsible for it, you can’t leave it unattended and, unless you have a permit, you have to put it out properly before dark.”

No fires are allowed on Hawke’s Bay beaches, and no fires can be lit in areas under the control of the Department of Conservation or in the Bay Forests Rural Fire District areas without permits.

Each of the council areas in the Bay – Hastings, Napier, Central Hawke’s Bay and Wairoa – have their own fire rules which can be found on each of the council’s websites.

The change in weather also kicks off the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council’s winter season fire rules. To limit smoke nuisance in the designated “airsheds” over Napier and Hastings, no outdoor fires are allowed to be lit in those areas between May 1 and August 31.

This rule aims to keep the winter air as clear as possible, says regional council’s pollution response enforcement team leader Mike Alebardi.

“During cold windless days, an inversion layer forms over Hastings and Napier and traps smoke near the ground where it’s a health hazard.”

The rules allow a few exceptions: Fires are permitted for burning orchard or vineyard material when food production trees are being replaced with others, and when shelterbelts need to be removed for redevelopment or to control disease.

“You can still get out and light a barbecue or hangi, as fires for food cooking purposes are also permitted,” says Mr Alebardi. “However, the rules specify that any outdoor fires should not cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties, so light your fire when the weather will let smoke go upwards and away from other people’s homes.”

To see air shed boundaries go to: www.hbrc.govt.nz or phone the regional council: 06 835 9200.

http://maps.hbrc.govt.nz/IntraMaps80/?project=HBRC&module=Airsheds&configId=497c9efb-a430-4c9f-badb-da35f90c4a7d

© Scoop Media