Rural fire ban now in force

A total fire ban has been imposed throughout rural Wairarapa.

Phill Wishnowsky, Wairarapa principal rural fire officer, said a prohibited fire season has been declared in Wairarapa from today and will remain in force until further notice.

The total fire ban is for rural districts throughout Wairarapa and excludes only gas barbecues.

"Extended hot, dry weather has elevated the fire risk to levels that mean it is no longer prudent to continue to use fire in the rural environment," Mr Wishnowsky said.

"The ban will remain in place until the region has received a substantial amount of autumn rain, enough to ease the risk.

Mr Wishnowsky said the region is similar to many other parts of New Zealand that are going through a long, dry warm summer.

"This has resulted in elevated drought codes and high to extreme fire danger readings. With the region so very dry, it is necessary to impose a total fire ban to reduce the chances of wildfire," he said.

Wairarapa Rural Fire Authority monitors a battery of weather stations throughout the region and all had recoded below-average monthly rainfall since September.

Stations at Masterton, Castlepoint, Ngaumu and Ngawi had during the past three months posted a monthly rainfall level of less than half of the normal monthly average, he said.

However, he said there are fewer examples of crossover conditions in the region when the temperature is higher than the relative humidity and any fires that erupt are more likely to become extreme and uncontrollable.

"There is some dew early in the morning and we're not getting crossover conditions as much but it does still get close in the late afternoon," he said.

Mr Wishnowsky said most rural residents have been very responsible, supportive and co-operative throughout the summer and rural firefighters have appreciated that.

"While we have had more than our share of fires, it is pleasing to note most of these have been dealt with promptly and effectively, a credit to our firefighters."