NZ’s fire risk spikes early

It’s not yet summer but parts of the central South Island are reaching extreme fire risk levels.

With parts of New Zealand becoming tinder dry much earlier than usual, a Fire and Emergency spokesperson says firestricken parts of Australia show what could happen here.

Climate data shows that strong, hot winds in parts of the country have baked the soil dry already.

Niwa forecaster Ben Noll said the dry weather had happened sooner than normal.

‘‘Especially in the North Island, but also eastern parts of the South Island where it’s looking like it will be a very warm end to the spring and a warm start to the summer season.’’

Areas east of the Southern Alps are tinder dry, much earlier than usual. Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) said fires already in Otago had put them on alert earlier than usual.

Noll said gusty westerly winds were to blame.

He said there was more to come, and coupled with a forecast lack of decent rain in coming weeks in areas most in need, the fire risk was growing.

‘‘One of those areas is the interior of the South Island and soil moisture levels are drier than normal in interior Canterbury and Otago, but there are a few other hot spots around the country including one in Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and a third from Hawke’s Bay down to the Wairarapa.’’

Niwa said the Tasman Sea and New Zealand coastal sea temperatures were heating up and were now above average for this time of year. RNZ