Fire fears for Northland as hot, dry summer starts to bite

Thursday, 10 January 2019

Northland deputy principal rural fire officer Rory Renwick warned that small scrub fires could cause severe fires due to hot and windy weather.

Northland firefighters fear a busy summer is looming as baking-hot sun and a lack of substantial rain provides ideal conditions for scrub fires.

Deputy principal rural fire officer Rory Renwick warned of the increased risk of a major fire incident due to the dryness.

Areas with large amounts of scrub were at particularly high risk, as fire could spread quickly in windy conditions, potentially leaving residents trapped in their houses.

'Things are getting really dry in the north now so the risk of fire is clearly increasing and we don't want to see any loss of property, houses or injury to people in our community.'

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Two recent fires in Russell were caused by trees coming into contact with power lines.

* Dry weather prompts fire warnings in Northland

* Northland fire 'contained' after three days, but still burning**

MetService meteorologist Jake Cope said Northland had a 'tiny spot of rain' on the morning of January 4, but had remained dry since.

It would be dry for the vast majority of Northland for the next two weeks, with temperatures ranging in the mid to high 20s.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) confirmed the far north district was experiencing some of the country's driest soils this week, identifying the eastern side of Northland as one of three current hotspots.

However, light showers were expected on Sunday through Monday, Cope said.

'We've got a bit of respite [rain] on Sunday and Monday, but not a lot and it looks dry from then on.'

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) also warned that trees, powerlines and hot weather shouldn't mix, following a small fire with devastating potential.

Renwick said crews attended two small fires near Russell, in the Bay of Islands, over the weekend.

The fires were caused by trees connecting with overhead powerlines on private property and were extinguished before any significant damage was caused.

However, hundreds of hectares of scrub and houses in the area meant there was potential for a severe fire, Renwick said.

Renwick encouraged landowners to contact their local power line company to confirm whether powerlines on their properties needed maintenance.