Total fire ban continues

It is still illegal to light a fire in the open in Kaipara and the total fire ban will continue until sufficient rain has fallen to lower the danger, says the Kaipara District Council.

Fire authorities are worried that an upsurge in small fires suggests some people may be under a false impression the risk has gone or that the ban, which was put in place at the beginning of March, has been lifted.

"It has not," says Principal Rural Fire Officer Kevin Ihaka. "There have been some small amounts of rain in isolated pockets but it has not been enough to warrant removing the fire ban at this stage. Fire authorities are monitoring the situation daily and will put a public notice out when the fire ban is cancelled."

Mr Ihaka also warns residents to not let a seasonal greening of vegetation lull them into believing it is safe to burn.

"We need significantly more rain to call things safe across Kaipara District Council administered areas."

Total Fire Ban means no fires in the open air, including rubbish fires, unless in an approved incinerator. An open drum is not approved and definitely not a pile on the ground. Gas barbecues are okay but a suitable extinguisher needs to be kept handy.

People face prosecution if caught breaching the fire ban as well as paying substantial costs to put their illegal fires out.

Low rainfall has not been sufficient to take the pressure of Kaipara District Council's water supplies and a ban on the use of sprinklers and hoses remains in force.