Firefighters urge caution as rural burnoffs get under way in Northland

Fire and Emergency deputy principal rural fire officer Michael Champtaloup. Photo / Donna Russell

Pillars of smoke swirling around Northland show the open fire season has begun as landowners tidy their properties.

However, the summer drought conditions have left a moisture deficit in several areas of Northland and firefighters have been kept busy with callouts.

Fire and Emergency deputy principal rural fire officer Michael Champtaloup urged landowners to take extra care, especially in the west and Far North.

"It's what farmers call a green drought. The public sees green grass and think it's okay to set fires but it is still quite dry underneath," he said.

Pouto, Dargaville, Aupouri and Ahipara are all areas that have been slow to recover from a soil moisture deficit, a situation that firefighters monitor every day through the Fire Weather System, a partnership between Fire and Emergency New Zealand and Niwa.
Champtaloup said farmers were generally good at looking after fires.

"It's a good time to remind farmers to never leave a fire unattended and to always have a method of putting it out. Most have front end loaders on their tractors so they can move stuff around and use large water containers with sprayers so they can deal with any spot fires.

Don't let this happen on your farm. The dry summer has left a moisture deficit in several areas of Northland, especially in the west and Far North. Photo / Michael Cunningham

"Care is always needed in choosing when to light a fire. Make sure it is well clear of anything that the fire could spread to and that the weather is not forecast to be too windy. Check where the smoke will be blown and that it is not going to cause a nuisance.

"Even in an open fire season it is important to keep a constant watch and have safety measures in place."

Champtaloup said the consequence of fire can be greater for rural properties because emergency services could take longer to reach remote areas. Water supplies are often more limited than in urban areas.

"Have an escape plan and, if there is a wildfire, get out early. Don't wait to be told to evacuate as your escape routes could be cut off."

Risk reduction measures include home maintenance on guttering and choosing landscaping that is less flammable near the house.

"We urge people not to store their firewood under the house or deck, even though it might seem a nice dry spot,'' he said.

Native bush could be used as a natural fire break as it didn't burn as easily as other trees, he said.

"However, manuka and kanuka burn really well.''

He said rural house fires were sometimes started from embers being emptied from a fireplace.

"Ashes can stay hot for at least three days.

"We have been called out to fires where people used a plastic bucket to empty their fireplace and left it outside. The ashes eventually burned through the bottom of the bucket and ignited the deck. Always use a metal bucket.

"Chimneys should also be cleaned regularly and checked for birds' nests."

Champtaloup urged landowners to regularly check tractors and ride-on lawnmowers for flammable materials.

"We have callouts to fires that have started from the hot exhaust igniting clumps of grass that have built up under the lawnmower. One guy was driving around on the lawnmower setting fires on the lawn behind him.

"Starling nests in tractors are also a common cause of fires. They build nests really quickly and so the tractor should be checked every day."

Shelterbelt fires in horticulture blocks have also been regular jobs. Bamboo shelter belts are extremely flammable and can explode to spread quickly.

Some shelterbelt fires have been caused by discarded cigarettes or machinery sparks.

"These are mostly an accident as orchard owners are usually good at getting fire permits."

Fire permits can be applied for online through the www.checkitsalright.nz website or by ringing 0800 658 628.

"Permits are free."

For larger burns, Fire and Emergency will check the site and help with advice on fire safety.

Fires could be lit during prohibited fire seasons in certain circumstances, including biosecurity measures to dispose of diseased beehives or livestock, but permits should be obtained and advice sought on safety measures, he said.

Northland's rural communities are served by 42 fire stations and 72 fire trucks, almost all run by volunteers.

The region's 36 career firefighters are based at the Whangarei station and are called out all over the region.

Champtaloup said New Zealand's rural firefighting capabilities hinged on volunteers and new members are always welcome.

"We're like a family. It's a really great community effort and there is a job for everyone even if they don't want to do frontline work."