Weather
Strong winds are forecast for Thursday and Friday, increase the fire danger across all of Southland and prompting Fire and Emergency to cancel all fire permits till conditions ease.
Principal Rural Fire Office, Timo Bierlin says, “the strong northwest gales will bring warm, dry conditions to Southland, significantly increasing the risk of fires occurring and spreading rapidly. We are asking people not to light fires while these conditions persist”.
Fire and Emergency NZ are urging people to check their fire sites if they have burnt in the last couple of months.
Mr Bierlin said “if people have burnt in the last two months, we are asking them to check to make sure their fires are out. Turn the area over to ensure there is no heat left and apply water till it is cold to touch”.
Even a small amount of heat in an old fire site could re-ignite and winds transport embers into the surrounding vegetation.
Metservice have issued a weather warning:
Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
West to northwest gales for parts of the South Island and lower North Island today and Friday.
A strong west to northwesterly flow develops over southern and central New Zealand today (Thursday), ahead of a front approaching from the Tasman Sea. The front should cross southern New Zealand during Friday morning, followed by strong westerlies, then weakens as it moves onto central New Zealand during Friday afternoon and evening.
Strong Wind Warning
Strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
Area: Fiordland south of Doubtful Sound, Southland, Stewart Island and Clutha
Valid: 13 hours from 4:00pm Thursday to 5:00am Friday
Forecast: Severe northwest gales gusting 130 km/h in exposed places.
Mr Bierlin says “wind events often catch Southlanders out. Embers can travel along way, lodging in dry vegetation and starting fires”.
Mr Bierlin says during this period of increased fire danger, care also need to be taken around activities that cause sparks. “Activities such as welding, grinding, chainsaw use, or mowing roadsides could all have the potential to start a fire during dry conditions” he said.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand is also asking people to extinguish any burning fires and not to light any fires until conditions ease. This includes solid fuel barbeques (Gas is OK), camp fires, incinerators and hedge trimmings.