Fire bans and drought fears ease in Hawke's Bay

Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers president Will Foley says recent rainfall has made farmers very happy. Photo / Warren Buckland.

Just weeks after drought conditions loomed over the region it appears the weather has given Hawke's Bay a chance to turn this year's parched summer around.

Central Hawkes Bay District Council Rural Fire Authority lifted its total fire ban yesterday morning and farmers throughout the region are humming to a new tune after significant rainfall over the past few weeks.

Hawke's Bay Federated Farmers president Will Foley said many farmers had commented on the fast growth of grass in the wake of recent wet and warm conditions.

"At this stage everything is growing well so farmers are really happy," he said.

Mr Foley said the speed at which pastures had transformed from drought-stricken to green had been incredibly quick, but he said this week would be a "wait and see game" for farmers wanting more rain.

MetService meteorologist Kyle Lee said much of this week's weather would be stagnant and see cloud hanging about with scattered showers in the Bay's ranges.

Hawke's Bay's temperatures would hover between 22C and 24C, with the minimum falling to 12C overnight.

Yesterday's MetService thunderstorm outlooks predicted the ranges of northern Hawke's Bay as one of the main centres in the country for thunderstorm risk.

Thunderstorms predicted for this afternoon were said to be accompanied by localised heavy rain at rates within the 10-25mm/hr range.

However, because the storms will be slow-moving it is possible rainfall rates could be 25-30mm/hr.

Thunderstorm conditions should subside closer to the end of the week.

Along with Central Hawke's Bay, both Hastings and Napier have a restricted, or prohibited, fire-season status where fires cannot be lit in the open air without a fire permit issued by the appropriate council.

Total fire bans still remain in place for all Central Hawke's Bay beaches and adjacent public areas.

Gas barbecues and similar outdoor gas appliances do not require a permit.

For further information on rural fire prevention matters people are asked to contact the Central Hawke's Bay District Council rural fire officer on (06) 8578060.