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Two offenders have been sentenced for their role in a massive wildfire that swept through the Awarua Wetlands in Southland on 2 April 2022. The fire, lit during a prohibited fire season with a total fire ban in place, destroyed 1,330 hectares of the internationally recognised wetland. A third individual involved in the incident will be sentenced at a later date.
The Awarua Wetlands, New Zealand’s first Ramsar Convention site of international importance, suffered severe environmental damage. The fire destroyed 980 hectares of native vegetation, harming the habitat of endangered species such as the Australasian bittern and killing numerous animals. Aaron Fleming, the Department of Conservation's Southern South Island Operations Director, highlighted how the fire also released 104,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to driving over 400 million kilometres in a petrol car. Invasive weeds are now outcompeting native plants in the burned areas.
Deputy National Commander Steph Rotarangi described the wildfire as a serious breach of fire safety rules, which prompted Fire and Emergency New Zealand to pursue legal action. She noted, "Given the significance of the impact of the Awarua Wetlands fire, and the fact the area was under a total fire ban, we considered it appropriate to prosecute three individuals for the fire."
Two of the offenders have already received penalties. One was sentenced to seven months of home detention with post-detention conditions and ordered to pay $10,000 in reparations. The second was sentenced to 200 hours of community work, 12 months of supervision, and the same reparation amount. The third offender’s sentencing is still pending.
The wildfire marked the second prosecution under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017. The first case, involving an unauthorised burn-off, resulted in an $18,000 fine. Fire and Emergency emphasised the importance of checking fire regulations at www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting any fires.
The Ramsar Convention, which protects the Awarua Wetlands, is an international treaty promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands.Two offenders have been sentenced for their role in a massive wildfire that swept through the Awarua Wetlands in Southland on 2 April 2022. The fire, lit during a prohibited fire season with a total fire ban in place, destroyed 1,330 hectares of the internationally recognised wetland. A third individual involved in the incident will be sentenced at a later date.
The Awarua Wetlands, New Zealand’s first Ramsar Convention site of international importance, suffered severe environmental damage. The fire destroyed 980 hectares of native vegetation, harming the habitat of endangered species such as the Australasian bittern and killing numerous animals. Aaron Fleming, the Department of Conservation's Southern South Island Operations Director, highlighted how the fire also released 104,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, equivalent to driving over 400 million kilometres in a petrol car. Invasive weeds are now outcompeting native plants in the burned areas.
Deputy National Commander Steph Rotarangi described the wildfire as a serious breach of fire safety rules, which prompted Fire and Emergency New Zealand to pursue legal action. She noted, "Given the significance of the impact of the Awarua Wetlands fire, and the fact the area was under a total fire ban, we considered it appropriate to prosecute three individuals for the fire."
Two of the offenders have already received penalties. One was sentenced to seven months of home detention with post-detention conditions and ordered to pay $10,000 in reparations. The second was sentenced to 200 hours of community work, 12 months of supervision, and the same reparation amount. The third offender’s sentencing is still pending.
The wildfire marked the second prosecution under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017. The first case, involving an unauthorised burn-off, resulted in an $18,000 fine. Fire and Emergency emphasised the importance of checking fire regulations at www.checkitsalright.nz before lighting any fires.
The Ramsar Convention, which protects the Awarua Wetlands, is an international treaty promoting the conservation and wise use of wetlands.