Fire warning for the North

A Salt Air helicopter uses a monsoon bucket to douse a bush fire at Omanaia. PHOTO / Peter de Graaf

Northlanders are being urged to prepare for a bone-dry summer and what could be one of the most destructive fire seasons on record.

Forecasts suggests New Zealand is in for an El Nino weather pattern rivalling that of 1997-98, the strongest since 1950, bringing strong winds and little rain. The worst-hit areas are likely to be the north of the North Island and the east of both islands.

Just as fire authorities were preparing for the worst by mounting publicity campaigns and readying equipment and helicopters crews were called to a fire in South Hokianga yesterday.

In the first major fire of the season more than 10ha of native bush and scrub was burnt near Omanaia.

Rawene Fire Brigade was called to Mangapupu Rd about 2.10pm but could not reach the blaze, which had spread up a hillside clad in thick bush.

The Northern Rural Fire Authority mobilised three helicopters but two were soon stood down, leaving the job to Paihia-based Salt Air chopper to extinguish the fire using a monsoon bucket filled from a nearby farm dam. The fire was under control by about 4.30pm.

It appeared the fire had been started by a farm burn-off.

Rural firefighters were expected to stay at the scene overnight to mop up and guard against flare-ups.

Mr Taylor expected firefighters would be busy, but this summer the authority would not tolerate any flouting of the rules.

"In the past we've given people the benefit of the doubt. There's no excuse now and everyone knows about El Nino. We'll be throwing the book at everybody. The risk is just too great."

Preparations included lining up at least eight helicopters from as far away as Auckland. More helicopters would be sent earlier and fire starters would have to foot the bill. The cost of operating a chopper for an hour is at least $2000.

"Where we sent two helicopters last year, this year we'll send three."

While there were no restrictions yet in Northland, apart from the fire-prone Karikari and Aupouri peninsulas, he still urged anyone planning a fire to get advice from the authority.

The previous three strongest El Ninos - 1972-73, 1982-83 and 1997-98 - all resulted in droughts, and Niwa forecaster Chris Brandolino said this summer could be just as bad.

"We think that this El Nino - and it's already very strong - has a distinct possibility of being a top three, top four El Nino," he said.

National rural fire officer Kevin O'Connor said preparations were underway around the country with equipment being readied, staff trained and awareness campaigns launched in danger areas.

The coming fire season was shaping up to be "pretty dry and pretty extreme". Fire restrictions and bans were likely to be imposed earlier than usual, Mr O'Connor said.

El Nino is a weather pattern associated with a warming of Pacific Ocean surface temperatures. It occurs at irregular intervals averaging five years and lasts nine months to two years.

In New Zealand, El Nino brings stronger and more frequent westerly winds in summer, leading to drought in eastern areas. In spring and autumn southwesterly winds are more common.

It got its name, a shortened form of El Nino Jesus (the Christ child), because it was first recognised at Christmas time by South American fishermen.

- For information about fire restrictions or permits go to havingafire.org.nz or call (09) 401 0723 in the Far North or (09) 430 7707 in Whangarei/Kaipara. In an emergency call 111.