MEDIA ADVISORY: Fire Safety On Regional Parks

9 January 2007

Grass and scrub fires at Cascade Kauri (Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland) and Duder Regional Park are a reminder to park visitors to be fire safe this summer.

Open fires are not permitted on regional parkland unless a permit has been obtained from a ranger

- Please dispose of cigarettes thoughtfully (e.g. take them home)

- Many parks have gas barbeque facilities available.

Cascade Kauri (Waitakere Ranges Regional Parkland)

Thursday 4 January 2007

• An area of rank pasture/grassland 70m x 50m in size was burned

• The point of origin and likely cause of the fire is still unknown

• ARC staff were notified of the fire at approximately 3.30pm

• Three fire engines, from Bethells, Waitakere and Henderson, responded. The fire was under control and fire crews departed by 5pm

• An ARC ranger monitored the site during the night. The fire did not re-ignite.

Duder Regional Park

Saturday 6 January 2007

• ½ hectare of grass and scrub (manuka and kanuka) was burned

• Cause of fire: originated from a fire on the beach

• Coastguard assisted firefighters in accessing the parkland from the coast as the fire was on a steep hillside leading down to the sea.

ENDS