Canterbury Area Fire Restrictions revert to local fire authority restrictions

28 February 2017

To be attributed to Kevin O’Connor, National Rural Fire Officer, National Rural Fire Authority

Fire restrictions for the Canterbury area will revert to those imposed by individual fire authorities at 12pm Wednesday 1 March, except for Mid South Canterbury which will go to a “Restricted” fire season from midnight 28 February. The Canterbury-wide fire restriction was imposed by the National Rural Fire Officer under section 20 of the Forest and Rural Fires Act on 16 February due to the Port Hills fire.

Please be aware many Canterbury areas still have a prohibited fire season due to the very dry conditions, high risk for any fires to quickly evolve into wildfires and the ongoing response to extinguish the Port Hills fire.

Fire Season Restrictions for Canterbury areas:

• Mid South Canterbury - Restricted from midnight Tuesday 28 February

• Selwyn - Prohibited

• Christchurch - Prohibited

• Waimakariri - Prohibited

• Ashley - Prohibited

• Hurunui - Prohibited

• Department of Conservation (north of the Rakaia river) – Prohibited

• Department of Conservation (south of the Rakaia river) – Restricted

• New Zealand Defence Force (Burnham, West Melton Rifle Range, Tekapo Training Area)

Please go to www.checkitsalright.co.nz to check the fire season in your area, or contact your local rural fire authority if you want more information.

---ENDS---

© Scoop Media