Taupo fire risk 'very extreme'
Taupo District Council, in coordination with the Department of Conservation (DOC), has issued a fire ban for all rural areas, including DOC land, due to the enduring dry period and the extreme fire conditions in the District.
The prohibited fire period is being applied due to the continuing dry weather conditions which present an extreme fire hazard.
Council Principal Rural Fire Officer, Phil Parker, says that the ban is necessary to protect life and property. He says: "The fire risk is high. Fires can spread quickly and it is too dangerous to lives and property to light fires at the moment. We don’t want to put people at undue risk."
Caution is being strongly advised. It is prohibited to light any fire in open air. The ban includes DOC land such as parks and reserves. The farming and rural communities are especially urged to carry fire extinguishers on board agricultural equipment and to check that electric fences are clear of debris or materials that may catch fire.
This fire ban also includes items like fireworks. The authorities are urging the community to be careful with cigarettes and caution smokers to take extra care to make sure their cigarettes are properly extinguished.
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 Taupo Rural Fire Authority will not issue fire permits for the foreseeable future pending changes in the weather conditions.
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