A disturbing pattern emerging from seven recent fires across the Taupō district has prompted Fire and Emergency's Risk Reduction Advisor Roger Nelson to speak out. With multiple incidents requiring emergency response since Christmas, Nelson says current conditions are making the situation particularly concerning.
All seven fires in recent weeks are believed to have been caused by human activity, Fire and Emergency's Risk Reduction Advisor Roger Nelson has revealed, with several resulting from people deliberately lighting fires despite the extremely dry conditions.
"It's not smart things to do, really," Nelson says. "There is a lot of vegetation around. It is exceedingly dry. We haven't gone into a prohibited fire season in the Taupō district at the moment. But as of Monday last week, we haven't actually been issuing any permits because it has been so dry."
The incidents have occurred across multiple locations, including Waitahunui, Te Toki Road, Wharewaka, and most recently at Spa Park.
The Spa Park fire on Friday night required helicopter assistance, with crews facing difficult access on steep terrain. "The helicopter was very successful," Nelson says. "There were some steep cliffs we couldn't access with our fire crews. We were using the helicopter to dump water at the top so it would run down the cliff face to get those spots."
Despite Sunday's rainfall, Nelson says the fire risk remains high. "We did only have eight to 10 millimetres of rain. We were forecast for 30, obviously didn't get that. So our indices are still very high."
While some fires are necessary, such as the disposal of diseased stock and beehives under Ministry of Primary Industries requirements, Nelson says the current dry conditions mean all other burnings should be avoided.
"If people are wanting to light fires, please go on to our website, which is checkitsalright.nz," Nelson says. "That will tell you what their current fire season is, whether there's a requirement to have a permit or not."
Fire crews remain vigilant, with the Taupō Fire Station maintaining 24/7 coverage, backed up by rural crews from Taupō, Turangi, and Ōmori. "If there's a smoke report or a fire, whether it's permitted or not, we always send an appliance," Nelson says.
