More bushfires tipped as climate alters

Scientists are expecting more fires in rural areas as the climate changes over the next century.

A report says the increased fire risk will particularly affect Bay of Plenty, Wellington, Nelson, and in the east of both islands from Gisborne to Wairarapa and Marlborough to Canterbury. The findings are included in a report to the Fire Service Commission by scientists at the National Institute of Water & Atmospheric Research (Niwa), and Scion (formerly Forest Research).

Niwa climate scientist Jim Salinger said dangerous fire weather resulted from a combination of strong winds, high temperatures, low humidity and seasonal drought.
"These conditions are expected to increase with global warming and the associated climate change, and hence increase the number of days when very high and extreme forest fire danger occurs. This is likely to lead to an increase in the number and extent of rural fires," Dr Salinger said.

"At the same time, the length of the rural fire season, which currently runs from October to April, may extend from September to May."

Dr Salinger said New Zealand had about 3000 rural fires a year, burning 7000ha of land.

- NZPA