Warning sounded over rural fire costs

Foam extinguishes a rural Wairarapa blaze among a stand of pine trees that erupted in the wake of a controlled burn that went wild.

Fire-starters could face massive bills to pay for controlled burns that go wild, warns Phill Wishnowsky, Wairarapa principal rural fire officer.

Mr Wishnowsky warned the cost of dealing with a blaze that burns out of control can fall to the people who lit the fire, as well as the cost of any damage the fire causes.

"Eight fires in past months have involved suppression costs varying from $2000 to $35,000."

He said rural fire crews were called to two blazes in past weeks that started as controlled burns and fire risks remain high in rural Wairarapa despite occasional rain and "the autumn feel in the air".

"Earlier rainfall throughout the region led to a very good growing season with excess vegetation now drying off and providing an excellent fuel source for fires, and last week there were a number of fire incidents around the region due to controlled burns getting out of control."

Mr Wishnowsky said fire insurance should be occasionally updated "to ensure you not only have the correct insurance cover for fire but an appropriate level of cover too", including insurance of property for loss and replacement.

"Policies may need to cover house, household effects, other structures, crops, forests, vehicles and plants, as well as public liability insurance to cover the costs of loss to a third party should fire escape from your property."

He said there also was Forest and Rural Fires Act Insurance to cover costs for fire suppression or costs levied by any Rural Fire Authority under the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977.

Mr Wishnowsky said any controlled fires must be accessible for a fire truck at all times in case of emergency, must be used in a safe and considerate manner and must be of a size that burns out during daylight hours.

The fires must be supervised at all times and must not include green vegetation, rubber, plastic items, toxic materials, treated timber or building waste.

Those undertaking controlled burning were reminded to check weather conditions before lighting, he said. Updated conditions at www.WRFD.org.nz