Total fire ban now in place

SIGNIFICANT rain would be needed before any consideration was given to the lifting of a total fire ban now in place across the Manawatu District.


Principal Rural Fire Officer, Tony Groome, said a prohibited fire season was declared at midnight on Saturday (9/2/08) covering the Manawatu, Palmerston North and Horowhenua Districts and encompassing all Department of Conservation areas.


The Wanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitikei Districts declared prohibited seasons last month.


“The ban will remain in force until there is significant rain as against the little bits and pieces we have been getting,” he said. “Palmerston North has had some, but there has been nothing of note in the other districts to make any difference to the fire danger levels.”


Mr Groome said a prohibited season meant the lighting of all fires in the open was now banned, with the exception of barbecues in properly constructed containers and fuelled with gas.


“We ask people to keep a careful eye around anything that is likely to burn. Even with the small amount of rain we’ve had, there is still a lot of long, dry, dead grass and other material that can burn quite easily.”


He said a MetService forecast had indicated no rain relief until April – “let’s hope it’s sooner than that”.


The last time a total ban was declared in the Manawatu District was for a two-week period in March 2006.


Mr Groome said no permits would be issued for fires in the open and residents needed to be aware that anyone lighting a fire during a prohibited season could be charged the full costs of extinguishing the blaze.