Fire and Emergency: Remove wildfire risks from around house
Fire and EmergencyNew Zealand is keen for Kiwis to protect their homesfrom the risk of fire.
National manager CommunityReadiness and Recovery Steve Turek says it is important to check and monitor flammables surrounding your home.
“Spending timenowto identify potential wildfire fire risks around your house will reduce considerable stress downthe line,” Steve Turek says.
“Werecommend homeownersstart by removing leaves from gutters. While the leavesmaybe soggy and heavy now, aweekof sunshine can quickly dry them out and turn theminto paperlike fire spreaders,” he says.
“It is also important to prune back bushes and trees, especially within 30 metres of your house. Having large unmanagedtrees and bushes can increase a fire’s ability to spread around your property.”
“Once you have tidiedup your trees, gutters and bushes around the section, we’d also encourageyou to get rid of any dead plant material. Once dead plant material dries it becomeshighly flammable,” Turek says.
Ensuring your property is well taken care of can stop a fire from spreading over dozens or hundreds of hectares if you live in a rural or semi-rural area.
Fire and Emergency also wants people to think about fire safety evenwhen undertaking basic activities.
“Wehave seen in the past fires can be caused by insignificant actions like lawnmowing, barbecuing or lighting a small brazier,” Turek says.
“Every fire starts with a spark or a small source site. Take carewhenyoumowthe lawn or light a fire during these warmermonths. Weare also keen to see Kiwis create burn plans for any planned fires, no matter the size.
“Making sureyou have water nearby, lighting fires awayfrom flammables and only lightingon calm days will reduce the risk of fire spreading,” Turek says.