Experiences of people who accidentally started wildfires

Burn-off

It could happen to you - read a summary of key findings and recommendations of research about the experiences of people who accidentally started wildfires in Northland.

Background about the research

Wildfires can risk lives, destroy property and devastate natural areas. These fires are often the result of accidental actions or carelessness.

The Department of Conservation's Northland Conservancy is taking a pro-active approach to help reduce and mitigate the incidence of wildfires caused by carelessness. As part of this approach, the Conservancy identified the need to document the experiences, stories and impacts of fire through interviews with people who had an accidental wildfire.

The research findings will be used to help achieve the following goal of the public relations strategy and action plan titled Less Wildfires in Northland:

The incidence and severity of wildfires in Northland is reduced. People understand the consequences of wildfires and participate in preventing them.

This research was based on interviews with several individuals who have accidentally started wildfires and follow up discussions with representatives from regional rural fire authorities.

Key findings

The key findings from the interviews were:

• Most people felt confident using fire as a land management tool (and had done so successfully in the past) but were very surprised with how quickly the fire 'took off' and the speed of the fire.
• Key 'human error' reasons for the fire were that the person:
• • Was doing something different than usual (e.g. burning in a different place)
  • Did have a sense of responsibility for managing the fire
  • Did not make sure the fire was out
  • Did not have any water on hand.
• Participants spoke of immediate fear and panic when they realised the fire was out of control. Ongoing personal and financial stress often resulted when there were delays in sorting out insurance or when the participant was taken to court.
• Participants also spoke of stress and embarrassment when neighbours' assets were put at risk and the concern that it could impact on their relationship with their neighbours.
• Participants were generally very positive about their interaction with the particular rural fire authority on the day but many raised concerns about the confusion and lack of knowledge about the requirement for permits especially around public conservation land.
• Participants appreciated having an opportunity to talk with the rural fire authority following the fire to reflect on the experience and identify what could be done differently.

Recommendations for improvements

Participants identified the following key messages that need to be more widely communicated:

• Fire restrictions and fire seasons
• The specific restrictions for properties within one kilometre of DOC managed land (where fire margins still apply)
• 'Fires cost money'
• The need to have public liability insurance
• The importance of properties being tidy with gorse sprayed and lawns mowed
• How fast fire burns
• Techniques for preventing and mitigating wildfire
• People in more remote areas have to be relatively self-sufficient and can't expect a fire service to arrive immediately.

Suggested approaches for communicating with landowners and holiday makers included:

• Have more signs in areas within one kilometre of DOC managed land to inform people about fire restrictions and fire permits (including campgrounds and around holiday homes)
• Regularly inform all landowners who live within one kilometre of DOC managed land of fire restrictions by letter
• Attend coastal neighbourhood and farming groups (for example) to share information on fire restrictions and permits, fire science, and best practice approaches for burning
• Run courses with farmers groups on best practice fire skills
• Prepare a video to show groups or hold demonstrations to illustrate how fast fire takes off and best practice fire science.

When following up with individuals who have had an accidental fire, participants recommended these 'best practice' approaches for the rural fire authority:

• Face to face 'approachable' communication at the time of the fire in order to explain what is happening and how the fire is being controlled
• Follow up communication (either face to face or on the telephone) to review the fire and discuss how a similar incident could best be avoided in the future
• Take consistent courses of action across Northland for similar incidents (i.e. prosecution, cost recovery, warning, or no action).

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