Total Fire Ban

1 September, 2005

A total fire ban has been declared by the National Rural Fire Officer across North and Central Otago and Canterbury for the following 24 hours taking effect from midday today.

Several large fires, mostly caused by escaped burnoffs, have occurred across the area in the past week. Contained but not yet out, these fires have been whipped up by the dry, windy conditions.

The National Rural Fire Officer says the fire ban is necessary because of the elevated fire danger, the number of existing fires and predicted dry, windy conditions over the next 24 hours.

National Rural Fire Officer Murray Dudfield says any fires started in such tinder dry conditions have the potential to get out of control.

“If you notice any suspicious fires ring 111.”

A fire ban now exists in the following areas:

- South Canterbury Rural Fire District
- Waitaki District Council
- Central Otago District Council
- Queenstown Lakes District Council
- Ashley Rural Fire District
- Hurunui District Council
- Waimakariri District Council
- Banks Peninsula District Council
- Selwyn District Council
- Ashburton District Council
- Christchurch City Council
- All Department of Conservation areas contained within these areas

This is a timely reminder to the public early in the fire season that in these areas conditions are significantly dry, that any fires that are lit or start in these strong wind conditions have the potential to get out of control.

The public are reminded all fires are prohibited in these areas.

Contact the National Rural Fire Authority – Murray Dudfield 021 662133 for comment.

For further information on fire weather and fire seasons visit the National Rural Fire Authority web site www.nrfa.org.nz. or contact your local Rural Fire Authority

ENDS