KEY POINTS:
A forest fire that broke out in hot and windy Hawke's Bay conditions yesterday has served as a warning for people to be vigilant about monitoring power lines on private property.
The fire started yesterday morning in a pine plantation in the rural Rissington area west of Napier and was likely to have been caused by power lines and trees clashing and causing sparks.
Deputy principal rural fire officer Paul Hawke said rural fire crews from several districts were called to battle the blaze, along with a couple of helicopters.
Up to five hectares of the commercial forest was burned and fire fighters had to monitor the situation overnight for flare-ups.
Mr Hawke said investigators were assessing exactly how the fire started, but the plantation's owner faced a bill estimated to be over $20,000.
He said strong winds were a catalyst for such fires and urged property owners to be vigilant about ensuring trees were trimmed to be clear of power lines.
Lines companies also needed to be advised when power lines appeared to be sagging and at risk of clashing in high winds.
Mr Hawke said Hawke's Bay had been getting blasted for several days by strong westerly winds.
"We are about a month ahead of our normal fire conditions and are drying out quite rapidly now."
"The grass is growing now but these winds will start drying things out and it will probably lead into a long, hot and dry summer."
Mr Hawke said it was a challenge co-ordinating people to fight yesterday's blaze as people were away for the long weekend.
"My thanks go to the crews who did turn up and people who gave up their holiday break to go and fight fires."
- NZPA
