A scrub fire threatened homes near Waipukurau four years ago. Photo / Warren Buckland
A scrub fire threatened homes near Waipukurau four years ago. Photo / Warren Buckland
Central Hawke’s Bay has moved to level 3 water restrictions, as well as a complete fire ban.
Level 3 water restrictions mean a total ban on using sprinklers and alternate days for watering gardens, while cleaning cars and buildings can only be done using a bucket and sponge.
There are 15-minute limits for putting water into a spa or swimming pool, which can only be done with a hose with a trigger nozzle attached, or dumping in water using a bucket.
The district’s water resources are stretched due to the hot and dry start to summer and it’s facing an extended period of similar weather, says Mark Kinvig, Central Hawke’s Bay GM community infrastructure and development.
“It’s important we act now to preserve the water we have, and it’s important we act collectively because every drop counts,” Kinvig says.
This goes alongside restrictions Hawke’s Bay Regional Council has placed on the Tukituki and Waipawa rivers, and Fire and Emergency NZ placing the district into a prohibited fire season, which means a ban on all open-air fires.
“The community has been great and is already taking proactive steps to reduce water use – thank you so much for what you have already done,” Kinvig says.
Cleaning cars can only be done with a bucket and sponge.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a prohibited fire season for Central Hawke’s Bay.
Hawke’s Bay District manager Glen Varcoe says the fire risk has escalated rapidly to an intensity which is extremely alarming.
“The heat, the dryness and the strong winds we’re expecting over the next couple of weeks are a perfect storm for fires to get started by accident, and get quickly out of control,” he says.
“That’s why we’re placing more restrictions across the district - we’re trying to avert the possibility of catastrophic wildfires in Hawke’s Bay.”
Tukituki East, Tukituki West, Pōrangahau, and the southern Hawke’s Bay coast are now in a prohibited fire season, joining Heretaunga-Ahuriri, which went to prohibited earlier this month.
During a prohibited fire season, there is a ban on open-air fires, as any fire could easily spread and get out of control.
“We have been watching the devastation of the Bridge Hill fire in Canterbury with concern, as that part of the country has very similar conditions to ours right now.
“There’s also no significant rain on the horizon, so we’re asking people to be responsible with any planned fires - or to avoid lighting them at all if possible.
“Also try to avoid doing anything that could create a spark - such as mowing lawns, welding or grinding.”
