Media releases
Thursday, March 20th, 2008 - Fire caution urged during holiday weekend
Canterbury/West Coast Regional Rural Fire Committee spokesman, Tony Teeling, says the current warm conditions have significantly increased fire risk throughout the region. Although rain is forecast for late Friday night and Saturday, people going away still need to take proper precautions to prevent rural fires.
“We have had incredibly warm conditions this week and we want to urge holiday makers to be aware of the fire risk,” said Tony Teeling. “People need to take special precautions when going out into rural areas. These areas often have a higher fire risk than in cities and towns.”
Holiday makers are advised to:
- Take care with open flames - fires - candles - barbecues - camp fires - braziers
- Avoid cooking barbecues or other fire risk activities when intoxicated
- Closely supervise children and young adults
- Taking extra care when hosting visitors overnight
- Be aware of the fire season status and requirements to obtain fire permits
- Ensure fires are completely put out before leaving an area
Friday, February 22nd, 2008
Rain puts dampener on experimental burns
A major research experiment on wild fire in Canterbury scrubland has been
hampered by this summer's temperamental weather, ranging from drought to
floods.
Fire researchers from Crown Research Institute Scion, supported by numerous
rural fire agencies, have conducted a large research project that involved
setting fire to privately owned Canterbury scrub to improve understanding of
fire behaviour on steep slopes.
The experimental burn programme was conducted on the Mt Torlesse Station
near Springfield as part of an international research project into the
behaviour of fires.
Ten days worth of burns were planned starting in late January, but only
three days have been suitable due to rain in the Canterbury hill country.
Scion fire researcher, Grant Pearce, says the likelihood of getting
sufficient drying in the coming weeks is very low, so the decision has now
been made to stop the burning programme and retrieve all firefighting
equipment from the site.
"Unfortunately, while drought has been experienced across the country this
summer, the Canterbury hill country experiences a climate of its own and
this summer, that has not been conducive to our research.
"In order for us to meet both the scientific objectives and strict health
and safety controls, this research can only be undertaken in very specific
conditions so despite a spate of scrub fires in the region over previous
weeks, we have barely been able to light a match."
Despite these setbacks, they have managed to collect some valuable data from
the completed burns.
"This research is aimed at helping fire agencies to better manage the
serious risks posed by wildfire, particularly in terrain where extreme fire
conditions can create unique hazards for fire fighters.
"Dry scrub fuels can burn with intense heat and long flames that move very
fast uphill. This can create fire behaviour effects on steep slopes that are
dangerous and often difficult to predict.
"In total, four of the six research burn blocks have been burnt, most of
which exhibited extreme fire behaviour, and provided good information on
fire spread rates and intensities," Mr Pearce explains.
"One of the blocks burnt unsuccessfully in unfavourable conditions. However,
even this provided useful information on the conditions required for
successful ignition and fire spread, and on the relative power of the wind
versus the slope to spread the fire under mild conditions."
These experiments were generously supported by firefighting teams from the
Department of Conservation, Selwyn District Council, National Rural Fire
Authority and other rural fire authorities from throughout the South Island
who sent fire crews to help contain the burns.
The research is being carried out in collaboration with Australian bushfire
scientists from the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research
Organisation (CSIRO), with the support of the Bushfire Cooperative Research
Centre in Australia.
"A huge vote of thanks is extended to all those organisations and
individuals that have assisted with the project to date, including local
fire authorities and their staff, and out-of region suppression resources,"
says Mr Pearce.
The research is needed to enable land managers and fire agencies to better
protect life and property.
Every year in New Zealand around 4500 wildfires burn some 7000 hectares of
rural lands and fire risk is expected to increase with predicted climate
change.
The current economic impact of forest fires alone is around $20 million per
year, not including the equally devastating losses associated with damage to
rural property and infrastructure.
For more information contact:
Deborah Gray
Communications Manager, Scion
07 343 5757
021 579 488
or
Margaret Richardson
Senior Communications Advisor, Scion
027 285 6356
Tuesday, January 21st, 2008
Experimental burns planned near Springfield delayed due to wildfire activity.
Due to the recent wildfire activity in Canterbury a decision has been made to move the start date forward to next Wednesday, January 23rd. It is envisaged that we will begin equipment setup on that Wednesday and begin the fire break burning on the Friday January 25th, with the first research burn on Sunday, January 27th.
There are still other factors to consider that may impact on the burns.
- It is highly likely that the burn area will be under a Prohibited Fire Season by mid next week.
- A number of key personnel required for management and coordination of the burns are working of the Mt Cook Station Fire and won't finish there until this Sunday. Rob Hands who is the I/C for the burns maybe engaged on this fire for even longer.
- Another run of wildfires could have a significant impact on our ability to resource this project.
All in all we still remain focused on trying to accommodate the research objectives, and with a little shuffling and support we may yet be successful.
Saturday, January 19th, 2008
Fire Season Status Changes to Prohibited
- Hurunui District Council: Restricted Fire Season going prohibited Saturday 19 Jan 2008 at 2400 hours.
- Waimakariri District Council: Restricted Fire Season going prohibited Saturday 19 Jan 2008 at 2400 hours.
- Christchurch City including Bottle Lake and Chaneys RFD's: Restricted Fire Season going prohibited Friday 18 Jan 2008 at 2400 hours.
Thursday, January 10th, 2008
Experimental burns planned near Springfield
Experimental fires on the Mt Torlesse Station, near Springfield, will begin on Monday 21 January.
The burns are conducted by Crown Research Institute, Scion, as part of an international research project into the behaviour of scrub fires on steep slopes.
Local Canterbury rural fire authorities and Australian researchers are involved in the experimental fires which will be set until March this year, depending on weather conditions.
Protecting life and property is an important aspect of the fire research says project leader Grant Pearce from Scion.
“Our communities and firefighters will be safer if we know more about fire behaviour and we will also be better equipped to control the damage caused by wildfires.”
The research will also provide fire management agencies with knowledge about how to use fire as a land management tool safely and effectively.
Wildfires occur every year across New Zealand, many in scrub vegetation, and these fires can impact significantly on communities and landowners.
All the necessary permits and consents have been obtained for the fires, and every precaution has been taken to ensure that the fires are contained. The experimental blocks will have firebreaks around them and firefighters will be on site at all times during the burns.
For further information contact:
Wilson Brown
Principal Rural Fire Officer
Selwyn District Council
Telephone 03 347 2800
or
Margaret Richardson
Senior Communications Advisor, Scion
Phone: 07 343 5420
Mobile: 027 285 6356
