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Fire Crews Battle Forest Blaze Near Taupō

7/11/2019

Firefighters battled a forest blaze that started out as a small spot fire on the side of the road that spread and burnt for almost six hours.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said eight fire crews were sent to the scene at the
Tahorakuri Forest on Tram Rd about 9.20pm yesterday. The small spot fire rapidly spread, creating four different blazes 50m by 80m with flames getting 6m high on the pine tree trunks. He said crews worked tirelessly throughout the night to ensure the fires did not spread further and managed to get them all out by 3am. The trees were looking "on the black side" this morning, but the fire was completely out, he said.

A fire investigator was not sent to the scene.

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Bay of Plenty Fire Crews Busy after Guy Fawkes Callouts

6/11/2019

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Fire crews were kept on their toes in the Bay of Plenty last night with numerous firework-related fires and damage.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman said there were 16 firework-related callouts in the Bay of Plenty and Waikato areas, with a large majority of these falling in the Bay.

Fire crews spent close to two hours at the scene of a large bonfire in Ngongotahā that burnt slightly out of control. The spokesman said two fire trucks and a tanker attended the scene on Keith Rd about 3.30am. There were no injuries.

Many of the firework-related call-outs were centred in the Tauranga area, with small vegetation fires reported in Welcome Bay, Bethlehem and Pāpāmoa.

Read more:
• 'The flames were 10-feet high': Fire in Government Gardens in Rotorua
• 'We're on tenterhooks': High alert for fire crews ahead of Guy Fawkes

Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force chief fire officer Phil Muldoon told the Rotorua Daily Post yesterday that his crew had not had a Guy Fawkes callout for about six years. The crew was called to reports of a small vegetation fire about 8.10pm, according the Fire and Emergency NZ incident reports. The team spent about half an hour at the scene.

Earlier in the day, Rotorua crews had battled a 20 by 30-metre tree and bush fire in the Government Gardens about 4.30pm.

There were seven Fire and Emergency New Zealand trucks in attendance over the course of the fire and by 7pm it was extinguished. A witness said the flames were 10-feet high at one point.

Trees and shrubs were burnt in the fire and assistant area commander Brendon Grylls said an approximately 40sq m section was affected in total. "It could be a sulphur fire and that's why we've got crews with breathing apparatus," he told the Rotorua Daily Post at the scene.

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Bay Fire Crews On High Alert

5/11/2019

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Fire crews across the Bay of Plenty are "on tenterhooks" as Guy Fawkes celebrations get set to ramp up tonight.

Every year around November 5, the sky lights up in a flurry of bright colours and loud bangs that leave some people in awe. However, as the region has been treated to high temperatures and dry conditions the last few days, fire crews are worried.

Whangamata Volunteer Fire Brigade chief officer Nigel Airey said the team had a good run in previous years, but conditions were "tinder dry" compared with previous years. The risk of any spot fires lighting up was "huge", he said. He recommended that people use up all their fireworks tonight as opposed to saving them for later in the season as the risk will only get bigger, he said. He also asked people to use them on their own private property and not near the beachfront or dry scrub.

Lake Okareka Rural Fire Force chief fire officer Phil Muldoon said his crew had not had a Guy Fawkes callout for about six years, but the dry conditions had them "on tenterhooks".

He said they were approaching and preparing for summer, which was their busiest time of year and this year the dry conditions had started early. His advice was for people to just use their common sense, respect any fire bans and report any smoke they see at any anytime. "The quicker a fire is reported, the quicker it can be dealt with."

Every year around Guy Fawkes they hold a huge community event alongside Blue Light Matatā with a firework display, sausage sizzle and bonfire. All donations from the event go towards the charity.

Matatā Volunteer Fire Brigade deputy chief Mark Hofert said this was a great way to bring the community together and have a safe and controlled environment for fireworks. He said it allowed the crews to manage the situation and it lowered the number of people letting off their own fireworks around the day.

He said the crew would still be on alert tonight as they were 24 hours a day, every day of the year. The annual event will take place this Friday from 6pm at the Matatā Village Green.

Preventing fires when lighting fireworks
Used unsafely, fireworks can cause devastating bush fires. Follow these tips to reduce the risk of starting a fire when using fireworks:
- Don't light fireworks in windy or dry conditions.
- Carefully read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before using any fireworks.
- Light your fireworks in a wide-open area, away from anything that could catch fire.
- Keep a bucket of water, hose or fire extinguisher handy.

Be considerate with fireworks
- Do not use fireworks after 10.30pm, and try to let your neighbours know in advance.
- If you're in a rural area, make sure you do not set off fireworks around farm animals.
- If you do get burned, hold your burn under cold running water for 20 minutes.
- Keep your pets inside.

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