As the Big Green Community Noticeboard in our neighbourhood confirmed last week – it HAS been raining in Northland! As if no-one had noticed. Not long afterwards, the fire ban throughout the region was lifted and as of today, was either open (Whangarei and Kaipara districts) or restricted (public conservation land and the Aupouri-Karikari district). Our wildfires conservation advocate, who lives in the far north, reports a blue haze already settling across the land as folks burn off accumulating piles of rubbish.
DOC firefighter in training. Photo: DOC.
We still all need to be ultra careful though. The region remains really short of water and it will take a fair bit more rain to change that. There have been heaps of fires around the region through the summer, most suspected arsons or non-permitted burns. Each one being investigated! The Northland rural fire organisations don’t enjoy dealing with this stuff and it totally is all about you. Help your friends, family and neighbours out – stay fire safe.
