Golden autumn brings renewed fire restrictions

Fire indices have risen sharply again over the last week, forcing the Far North District Council back into a Restricted Fire Season.

The requirement for permits for any fire in the open takes effect from midnight on Friday (03 April 2009) and the restriction will remain in force until further notice.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Lance Johnston said today the "on again, off again" fire status was as frustrating for the Rural Fire Authority as it was for the local community.

"We want to make it as easy as possible for the community, but at the same time are very conscious of the risks of ignoring the warnings. With the medium range forecast predicting another 15 days of dry autumn weather and the fire indices back at a high risk level, we haven't really had any choice but to re-impose restrictions," he said.

The only exceptions to the requirement for a fire permit are gas and purpose-built barbeques.

Mr Johnston said within the Aupouri/Karikari Rural Fire District, fire permits were already being withheld. If the dry spell continued for much longer there was a possibility a Prohibited Fire Season would be formally reintroduced in that area.