It’s still open fire season in Hawke’s Bay, but contingencies are already in place should wildfires strike in the New Year.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has raised the fire danger to moderate for the Tararua region and high for the rest of Hawke’s Bay, up to Wairoa.
Hawke’s Bay district manager for Fenz, Glen Varcoe, says “fire weather indices” are being assessed every week as the area heats up over summer.
That “most definitely” includes being ready in the event the weather pans out as forecast, in the coming months.
“We’re expecting El Nino and we’re expecting in the New Year a hot, dry, windy season, which will increase our wildfire risk,” Varcoe said.