Much of the Hawke’s Bay District moved into a restricted fire season as of midday 4 November until further notice.

And even as the restriction went into effect firefighters were battling fires in Central Hawke’s Bay caused by farm burn-offs.

A restricted fire season means a permit is required from Fire and Emergency New Zealand to light a fire in the open air.

Areas going into a restricted fire season are Esk-Tutaekuri, Ahuriri-Heretaunga, Tukituki West, Tukituki East, Southern Hawke’s Bay Coast and Pōrangahau.

To check if you are now in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz

Community Risk Manager Nigel Hall says the area is experiencing warm, windy weather with little rainfall expected over the next month. “Last month alone we saw 37 vegetation fires across the Hawke’s Bay District many escaping from old burn piles, driven by wind,” he says.

“The slightest spark in windy and hot weather conditions can cause a fire that will spread very quickly in areas that are already extremely dry for this time of year.

“There are a lot of burn piles across the district that are the result of numerous storms over the last few years. If you’ve been burning vegetation any time in the last few months or so, check the fire is completely extinguished. Spread it out and extinguish completely with water,” he says.

“We expect anyone planning on lighting a fire to have a permit if they are in the restricted fire zone.”

All people planning fires must go to www.checkitsalright.nz and check the conditions for their location, and hold off lighting if it is windy or hot.

Pertinent factoids:

• In the past ten years, 57,689 hectares have burned in Aotearoa New Zealand, including both privately owned and public land.
• 97% of wildfires in Aotearoa New Zealand are caused by people.
• Every year FENZ battles an average of 4,255 wildfires in Aotearoa New Zealand.

For fire safety tips and more information about the activities you can and can’t do in a restricted fire season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz