Opotiki fire investigation report
Date: 14 March 2008
An independent investigation of a fire at Woodlands near Opotiki in the Bay of Plenty, has concluded that the probable cause was embers from a Department of Conservation (DOC) training burn blown into dry vegetation by strong winds. The training exercise had had taken place two days previously.
Acting Manager for DOC's Opotiki Area Office, Fiona Hennessey said today that the investigation conclusion shows that even seasoned fire managers can still be caught out by nature.
"The lesson for DOC staff is to take nothing for granted and we will certainly review our post-fire monitoring procedures to reduce the likelihood of a similar incident occurring again," Ms Hennessey said.
On November 26th 2007, DOC staff conducted a joint fire training exercise with Opotiki District Council and other fire-fighters on private land at Woodlands. The exercise provided necessary training and experience in multi-agency fire-fighting. On the day all went well and teams were confident that the fire was safely contained.
Two days later, the area experienced extremely strong winds that had not been forecast. The unseasonal 75 kilometre per hour southeast winds are believed to have blown embers across containment lines and high temperatures fanned them into a wildfire. Fire was reported at multiple sites in the vicinity of the training burn. A multi agency response including the use of helicopters was required to contain the fires. Approximately six hectares of land, including scrub, shelter belts, fences and an area of kiwifruit orchard were burned in the fire.
"DOC staff are working with affected land owners to resolve outstanding claims," Ms Hennessey said.
"The Woodlands fire provided a sharp reminder that there is no room for assumption where fire is concerned. Exercises using controlled burns are essential for our training programme. The people involved in the training exercise were quite convinced that the initial fire was completely safe and, had weather conditions not unexpectedly become so extreme, that may well have been the case. Clearly the monitoring processes were not sufficient and that is something the department will improve.
"The other lesson is that it is essential for people to dial 111 immediately if they see an unattended or dangerous fire. At Woodlands, winds carried burning embers up to 700 metres and ash and debris was reported over two kilometres away. In such extreme conditions, getting well equipped fire-fighters on the scene as quickly as possible is the best way to limit damage," Ms Hennessey said.