Fires Banned as Weather Remains Dangerously Dry
From Tuesday, 5th February 2008, a Prohibited Fire Season will be in force in Franklin. No fire permits will be issued from this date, however, in anticipation of the prohibited fire season and due to the dangerously dry weather, Council is also revoking all existing fire permits.
The Prohibited Fire Season remains in force until further notice. It is an offence to light fires while the Prohibited Fire Season is in force.
“Putting in place a Prohibited Fire Season in Franklin is very rare however there have been several serious fires in recent days that show how necessary it is. On Wednesday 30 January, two grass and scrub fires at Bombay and Pukekawa had fire crews stretched to their limits battling fire; 29 degree heat and tinder dry vegetation. In all 16 appliances, including 4 tankers, were needed to attend the fires,” says Franklin District Council’s Principal Rural Fire Officer Andy Baker.
The Bombay fire did not have a permit and the property was close to losing its house. In Pukekawa the fire possibly started from a cigarette thrown from a car or a spark from power lines, showing how quickly a fire can start and spread. Fire crews from Onewhero, Te Kauwhata, Patumahoe, Mercer, Papakura and the assistance of local residents was needed to stop the fire as it rapidly spread across a paddock cut for hay 20 metres from a farm house.
“With the dangerously dry weather, vegetation fires can spread out of control in moments and pose a huge danger to life and property. Franklin cannot take this risk and no fires are allowed until Council is assured that there has been a reduction in the fire danger through the arrival of sustained and substantive rainfall,” says Andy.
During the Prohibited Fire Season, any fire, even one that appears to be under control, should be immediately reported to the NZ Fire Service by calling 111. Fires will be extinguished and those responsible for the fires could face charges or be liable for any costs associated with suppressing the fire.