Open fire season in Taupo
Taupo Rural Fire Authority area is now in an open fire season following the removal of the fire restrictions in rural areas by Taupo District Council. The open fire season means a permit is no longer needed for an open fire in a rural area.
The restricted fire season began in October and was upgraded to prohibited after extended periods of dry weather. Open fires in rural areas in Taupo District were completely banned until the season reverted to restricted after a prolonged period of rain.
Council’s Principal Rural Fire Officer, Phil Parker, says there has now been enough rain to revert back to an open season. "Grass, bush and forestry are now a lot less susceptible to fire," he says. "We still encourage people to take care with fires, think carefully and be responsible."
Mr Parker says thanks needed to go out to residents and visitors to Taupo District who used common sense during the dry period and refrained from lighting fires. He also wanted to thank the volunteer firefighters who dedicated over a thousand hours of service to extinguishing fires and keeping the community safe this season.
In the height of the dry season two large fires destroyed several hectares of bush in Spa Park and on Whangamata Road north of Kinloch. Seventeen volunteers clocked up 1180 hours extinguishing fires from November to April.
Photo/ Cameron Avery
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