Fires justify bans

AN out-of-control rubbish fire during Waipa’s Fire Ban sparked a more serious fire on Bond Road on Friday afternoon. Damage was contained to scrub and grass by a small band of volunteers not fighting the larger scrub fire at Kawhia. 031081AD

By Dean Taylor

Fire officers are still investigating breaches of fire restrictions which caused two fires within the region on Friday.

A breach of Waipa District’s Fire Ban (burning rubbish) sparked an emergency callout to Bond Road on Friday afternoon. The town’s firefighting resources were already stretched when the 2.15pm call came in, but luckily the fire in Bond Road was quickly under control.

Many of the town’s volunteers were at Kawhia fighting a more dangerous bush fire which was threatening five homes. That fire was also the result of burning rubbish, this time in an incinerator at Maketu Marae on Te Puia Road, southwest of Kawhia.

Otorohanga District Council has a restricted fire season in force, requiring a permit for all outdoor fires. Principal rural fire officer Dave Clibbery says there was no permit for the use of the incinerator and Council is looking at what further action will be taken. Options include prosecution and cost recovery.

Mr Clibbery says the hot, dry conditions are only going to get worse and Council expects people to be responsible about their obligations and comply with regulations. He says the Kawhia fire could have been very dangerous if it had spread to nearby houses and forestry.

Otorohanga and Kawhia Brigades responded to the first callout at 11.16am and Te Awamutu, Pirongia and Raglan were called at 12.15pm when the threat became obvious. The huge fire front was heading towards the houses and it took a concerted effort for nearly an hour to prevent serious damage. Two sheds and a derelict house were destroyed by the blaze.

Two helicopters then joined the fight, working non-stop from 1.50pm until 4pm. Te Awamutu firefighters left at 4.45 and the last local crew and Raglan and Pirongia finished at 6.30pm.

As this issue was going to press there was another callout to a rubbish fire which spread to trees at Bayley Road, Owairaka Valley.