Open fire permits scrapped as dry spell fuels blaze risk

An extreme fire risk in the Far North has led to all open fire permits being withdrawn.

No outside rubbish fires or scrub burn-offs are allowed north of Kaeo on both east and west coasts.

However, gas barbecues, purpose-built incinerators and hangi put down for tangi are exempt at present.

But unless there is rain soon, a total ban is likely to be introduced in the near future, Far North principal rural fire officer Lance Johnston said yesterday.

He said long-term predictions for any rain in the district were not good and the Met Office had forecast continued settled weather for the next three weeks.

The mid-North area, including the Bay of Islands, is also expected to reach the extreme fire risk level by this weekend.

Two major fires have already devastated about 400ha of Department of Conservation land at Te Paki, near Cape Reinga, and wetland habitat at Kaimaumau, north of Kaitaia, so far this year.

The fierce blazes took helicopters and dozens of firefighters days to extinguish and destroyed rare native trees, vegetation, orchids, plants and bird habitats.