Fire restrictions now in place for Taupo
Taupō District Council has temporarily stopped the issuance of fire permits in rural areas due to the extreme fire conditions in the District.
Council Principal Rural Fire Officer, Phil Parker, says the risk is very high. “A fire will get away quickly and spread. It’s too risky to lives and property to light fires at the moment.” He advises people to refrain from lighting any fires.
Caution is being strongly advised. No open fires are currently permitted in the District. This restriction includes items like fireworks. Parker is also urging the community to be careful with cigarettes and cautions smokers to take extra care to make sure their cigarettes are properly extinguished.
The farming community is also being urged to carry fire extinguishers on board agricultural equipment and to check that electrical fences are clear of debris or materials that may catch fire.
The continued dry conditions make any fire a serious threat for rural areas. As the conditions are being taken seriously – both the Department of Conservation and the Taupō Rural Fire Authority have agreed not to issue fire permits for the foreseeable future pending changes in the weather conditions.
comments powered by Disqus