Hi all,
Despite the cool and wet weather over recent months, the Lake Ōkāreka Fire Brigade has been kept fairly busy attending a number of call-outs for fallen trees and vegetation, car and structure fires, with the latest incident occurring in the bush near Lake Tikitapu.
Back in April, a late afternoon slash burn in strong winds and gusty conditions resulted in trees next to a shelter belt in Paengaroa catching on fire, with a significant crop of kiwifruit on the other side. The Lake Ōkāreka Fire Brigade were called to this incident because of difficult access and having a 4x4 appliance. Crews worked throughout the night to bring the fire under control.
Despite the cool and wet weather over recent months, the Lake Ōkāreka Fire Brigade has been kept fairly busy attending a number of call-outs for fallen trees and vegetation, car and structure fires, with the latest incident occurring in the bush near Lake Tikitapu.
Back in April, a late afternoon slash burn in strong winds and gusty conditions resulted in trees next to a shelter belt in Paengaroa catching on fire, with a significant crop of kiwifruit on the other side. The Lake Ōkāreka Fire Brigade were called to this incident because of difficult access and having a 4x4 appliance. Crews worked throughout the night to bring the fire under control.
Lake Ōkāreka crews at the Paengaroa fire in extreme conditions
Unfortunately, the brigade also attended a structure fire at Lake Tarawera and, despite the best efforts of all involved, the house was lost. This highlights the speed at which fire can take hold and the importance of having escape routes and everyone exiting a property immediately. While the loss of property is devastating, it was a relief that the occupants were safe. Nonetheless, we feel for the family and wish them well as they work through the aftermath of this sad and traumatic event.
Lake Tarawera fire: stopping the spread of fire to a neighbouring property
The Lake Ōkāreka Fire Brigade also recently hosted a group of Keas at the station. The weather wasn’t very obliging on the day to enable more practical activities to take place for our young guests. However, they listened attentively to our talks, asked and answered some great questions, and enjoyed climbing into the fire appliance.
Hosting the Keas at the Lake Ōkāreka Fire Station: Future firefighters?
Finally, with the frosty nights and wintery weather, please make sure your chimneys have been swept if they are being used frequently and haven’t been cleaned out for a while. Also, please be aware of the weather conditions and take care when the roads are icy or wet.
It has been great having our university student members back on board over the last few weeks. However, they are now going back to commence study for the next semester. We have also been fortunate to have had a few new members join the brigade over the last few months which helps to keep numbers up, particularly during the year. On-station induction and training has been in full swing with various formal FENZ training courses also taking place.
If you live locally and would like to join the brigade, then please drop by the station on a Wednesday evening at 7:30pm or give me a call on 021 890 508. You can also visit our website for more information: http://www.okarekaruralfire.co.nz/.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
It has been great having our university student members back on board over the last few weeks. However, they are now going back to commence study for the next semester. We have also been fortunate to have had a few new members join the brigade over the last few months which helps to keep numbers up, particularly during the year. On-station induction and training has been in full swing with various formal FENZ training courses also taking place.
If you live locally and would like to join the brigade, then please drop by the station on a Wednesday evening at 7:30pm or give me a call on 021 890 508. You can also visit our website for more information: http://www.okarekaruralfire.co.nz/.
Phil Muldoon
Chief Fire Officer
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