Fire ban for Mackenzie and Ashburton
Archived content: This media release was accurate on the date of publication.
Introduction
Extreme fire danger has triggered the Department of Conservation to place a total fire ban over conservation lands (and within one kilometre of those lands) in the Mackenzie Basin and Ashburton Lakes today.Date: 26 February 2010
Extreme fire danger has triggered the Department of Conservation to place a total fire ban over conservation lands (and within one kilometre of those lands) in the Mackenzie Basin and Ashburton Lakes today.
This means that even those who have applied for permits to burn will have to put these on hold until conditions improve.
“The effect of recent rain has had little impact given the extremely hot and dry conditions experienced this week – humidity was down to eight per cent on Tuesday!” says Tony Teeling, senior fire officer for the Department of Conservation.
“The worst affected areas are the Mackenzie Basin and the Ashburton Lakes area as far north as the Rakaia River.
“The ban is being assessed daily and may be extended to other areas of Canterbury if conditions don’t improve,” he said.
“Significant rain will be required before the fire threat eases.”
Canterbury staff are on high alert, carrying their fire kits with them when working in the field, so that they can respond to fires immediately. Staff are hoping that strong winds won’t combine with the hot, dry weather, as this increases the fire risk.
Under the Forest and Rural Fires Act, DOC is the Rural Fire Authority responsible for preventing and controlling fire on public conservation land, all unoccupied crown land and within one kilometre of these lands.
If anyone sees a fire, please dial 111.