Perilous
Times and Climate Change
New Zealand: Raging Wildfires means No Christmas break for
firefighters
The Press
Last updated 16:31 24/12/2010
Firefighters will be spending their Christmas working to contain a
blaze that has already destroyed almost 60 hectares of trees and
pasture in North Canterbury.
The fire in the Ashworth Beach Forest near Leithfield broke out on
Wednesday afternoon and spread quickly into a neighbouring pine
plantation fanned by strong nor-west winds.
Darren Mann, from the Ashley Rural Fire District, said although
the fire was about 80 percent contained firefighters could not
afford to let up on the operation while there was a risk of winds
whipping the fire back into life.
He said although a south-west change predicted for this morning
did not eventuate, high humidity had helped cool the fire.
The operation is being scaled down from nine crews to four crews
for Christmas Day with firefighters from Nelson/Marlborough,
Northland and Rotorua staying on until December 27 to allow local
crews time out to spend with their families.
"We know they would also like to be tucking into a turkey at home
and we certainly appreciate that they are continuing to work
through allowing our guys time with their families.
"They've been working tirelessly with us since Thursday. This kind
of out of region assistance is greatly appreciated."
The minister of Internal Affairs, Nathan Guy, thanked firefighters
from throughout New Zealand for their work in Canterbury.
"We appreciate it's a tricky time with strong winds and being so
close to Christmas but we are grateful for everyone's expertise on
the ground and in the air.''
Almost sixty hectares of trees and pasture have been burnt in the
fire, along with a local timber plant.
Mann said the fire has taxed local resources and he urges people
to take extra care in the hot, dry conditions.
"The last thing we need now is another fire somewhere else".
Fire restrictions are in force across North Canterbury, meaning
open fires cannot be lit without a permit.
The Canterbury and West Coast Regional Rural Fire Committee's
emergency coordination centre is expected to disestablish later
today with local rural fire authorities taking over patrol and
monitoring duties.