Fire watch: Plan for track diversions ready to go

near them to be closed amid tinder-dry conditions.

Fire and Emergency Marlborough principal rural fire officer John Foley flew over the district on Tuesday to assess the fire risk.

Yesterday, Foley provided the Marlborough District Council with a report which said Marfells Beach was no more of a fire risk than any other part of the district.

In the report, he said the risk of ignition did not reach the threshold to prohibit or restrict access to the beach using the Fire and Emergency Act.

With no significant rain forecast for the next two weeks and resources tight following the Tasman fire, response capabilities were reduced, Foley said at Monday’s meeting.

Queen Charlotte Track Land Cooperative director Lynda Scottkelly said it had been incredibly hot since Christmas.

‘‘Unfortunately when the risk gets so high, you just have to take measures.

‘‘All it takes is someone to do something silly like throw a cigarette butt out. People just have to absolutely think fire risk,’’ she said.

Marlborough District Council announced yesterday afternoon that walkers using the Wither Hills Farm Park should use only the lower tracks around the town boundary, and not venture up the gully or ridge paths.

If there was a rapidly-moving fire, people on the hills could be at risk of injury or death, a spokesman said.

Council was also considering restrictions at Victoria Domain in Picton.

FENZ recommended all nonessential spark-hazardous work be rescheduled until cooler weather.