The Far North’s Muriwhenua area has moved into a prohibited fire season with more dry weather predicted as the fire risk increases and to avoid more damaging blazes.
The area moved into a prohibited season from Wednesday, December 20, until further notice, meaning no open-air fires will be permitted in the Far Far North as the fire danger continues to increase in the area.
Declaring the prohibited season, Fire and Emergency New Zealand Northland district manager Wipari Henwood said the high westerly winds are already causing “spike days” to occur where the fire danger is hitting the highest level of “extreme”.
As well, fireworks are banned in the Ahipara township and surrounds, on the Karikari Peninsula, and at Ripiro Beach until further notice.
The Niwa Climate Summary predicts temperatures in Northland between December and the end of February will be warmer and drier than normal, with a real risk of drought developing across the region.