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Rātū 16 Hanuere 2024 Tuesday 16 January 2024
Fire services on red alert The Wither Hills Farm Park has been closed for the foreseeable future due to extreme fire risk. Photo: Supplied.
WILLIAM WOODWORTH
A spate of vegetation fires across the region has trigged a warning from fire experts for people to be on high alert. Marlborough District Council and local firefighters are warning of extreme fire risks as tinder dry conditions continue. A fire in the Wither Hills Farmpark could see flames stretch as high as 10 metres, experts warn. The caution comes after yet another fire over the weekend which saw roads in central Blenheim closed due to a nearby bush fire. Police were alerted at 1.21pm on Sunday to a bush fire near the Ōpaoa River. Dillons Point Rd and Lane St were also closed as motorists were told to avoid the area. Fire Emergency New Zealand South Shift Manager Lyn Crosson says the latest fire was dangerous due to its proximity to town and traffic. “The large turnout on Sunday to the fire in Blenheim was due to the danger it could have posed to members of the public and buildings, but our crews worked really
well to get it under control. fast spreading, difficult to control previously-granted fire per“Much of the area is under a fire and have extreme fire intensity. mits are suspended. ban because the risk is so great “We could expect to see 10-metre The annual King and Queen and has the potential to escalate flame heights with the length of of the Withers, due to be so fast, and we ask all members the dry grass in areas of the park.” held on Saturday January 13, of the public to be extra vigilant Hot, dry conditions are on the was cancelled. with anything that causes sparks, long term forecast for Marlbor- A vegetation fire on 5 Januwhether it’s something as mun- ough, and firefighters have al- ary at the Wairau Diversion dane as lawnmowing or machin- ready battled vegetation fires campsite has closed the ery.” freedom campWhile declaring the ing site until prohibited season, February. Fire and Emergency’s Wairau Valley, Marlborough Group Waihopai and Manager Chris Hayles Rapaura areas is asking the public to have all seen recent check any old fires to bush fires. ensure they are fully Parks and Open Spacextinguished. es Manager Jane Tito Fire and Emergency’s Marlborough “Fire will start and says FENZ reviewed Group Manager Chris Hayles spread very easily and the fire danger stacould be extremely tus daily and, given difficult to contain, so rake out across the region this summer. current conditions, had recomareas and apply water,” he says. In the last week fires south of mended the Wither Hills’ closure “There is a lot more dry materi- the Wairau River, including the due to the high fire risk. al around than last year, so avoid flat land from the eastern side of “Given the mixture of dry grass in any activity that is heat producing State Highway 1 from Tuamarina the park, warm temperatures and in dry areas, for example welding, to Rarangi, have been prohibited windy conditions, a fire would grinding, or parking vehicles in - and the Wither Hills Farm Park, spread very quickly placing peolong dry grass. mountain bike tracks and car- ple at extreme risk,” she said. “Going off the current indices, a parks have closed. “We have received the latest refire in the Wither Hills Farm Park A prohibited fire season means a port from FENZ who have recwould readily ignite, be extremely total ban on outdoor fires, and all ommended a full closure until
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“We could expect to see 10-metre flame heights with the length of the dry grass in areas of the park.”
conditions change enough to decrease the fire danger.” The situation would be monitored daily and the closure would be reviewed if there was significant rain. If anyone is unsure if their property sits in the south zone, they can visit www.checkitsalright.nz and enter their address to check. “If you see any sign of fire, call 111 immediately because a matter of minutes can make all of the difference for our crews to get it under control.”
marlboroughapp.co.nz