Total fire ban declared in parts of Dunedin City

The fire risk caused by hot, dry conditions has led to the introduction of a total fire ban (prohibited fire season) in some parts of Dunedin, starting from midnight on Thursday 5 February 2009.

View the fire ban map (PDF, 56kb)

"We've done quite well given the consistently warm temperatures we've had recently" said Principal Rural Fire Officer, Graeme Still. "Occasional rain has offered some relief but summer has finally caught up with us. Events across the Tasman and, closer to home, up the East Coast area of the North Island and then yesterday in Nelson are reminders of how unforgiving and unpredictable fires can be."

The ban, under the provisions of the Forest and Rural Fires Act, covers the Strath Taieri and South Coast Rural Fire Zones.

Under the ban, all rural fire permits that were in force in these zones are now suspended until the ban has been lifted. The Department of Conservation will also place a ban on all parts of these zones where it is the fire authority.

Under the DCC's fire prevention bylaw any urban area within a rural fire zone with a fire ban in place is also subject to the total fire ban. This means that no outdoor fire may be lit or left alight anywhere in these zones until the ban is lifted. The ban includes charcoal and wood-fired barbecues as well as braziers and incinerators. It also covers campfires and thermettes.

Gas barbecues and cookers may be used but people are urged to take care to keep them clear of combustible materials.

Other activities that pose a high risk of fire are the use of vehicles off roads, the use of petrol chainsaws (where the exhaust systems may ignite dry materials), the disposal of cigarette butts and the use of mowers, particularly on stony ground or for long, dry grass (which is what is thought to have cause the Nelson fires).

Anybody seeing a fire outdoors during the ban is asked to call 111 immediately to report it, as fires will spread rapidly in the current conditions.

It will take a significant number of days of rainfall and cooler temperatures to lower the fire risk so it should not be assumed that a heavy rainfall will lead to lowered risk and the lifting of the ban.

Public notice will be given of the lifting of the ban.

Last reviewed: 05 Feb 2009 10:48am