Series of small fires spark warning

As temperatures rise and winds pick up, South Canterbury’s fire chief is urging people to be prepared before lighting a fire.

A fire crew issued a warning to those who lit a campfire under a bridge while fire restrictions were in place, on Waihi Tce, Geraldine, about 4.15pm on Tuesday.

It was one of five small vegetation fires across the region which firefighters responded to that day.

‘‘With the increase in temperature and northwest winds, it doesn’t take long for the vegetation to start to dry out,’’ Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) Mid-South Canterbury area commander Steven Greenyer said.

‘‘If they’re going to start a fire and there’s going to be wind, make sure it’s done in a safe place where it can’t spread to other vegetation, and have some means of being able to control it.’’

Among the other callouts on Tuesday were a controlled burnoff which got out of hand on Rosewill Valley Rd, near Timaru, at 2.51pm; a fire in a line of trees on Cleland Rd, near Cave, at 2.55pm; a fence line tussock fire on Levels Plain Rd, near Timaru, at 4.34pm; and a cabbage tree set alight by a sparking power line on Brenton Rd, near Geraldine, at 10.45pm.

The various fires kept crews from Washdyke, Temuka, Pleasant

Point, Cave, and Geraldine busy.

A Fenz spokesperson said while some callouts directly referenced wind as a factor, others made no mention of it.

Greenyer said people needed to be mindful when burning rubbish, parking cars or motorcycles with high exhaust on long and dry grass, and lighting campfires.

‘‘The recent fires in the Mackenzie District have highlighted how quickly fires can cause a huge amount of property and vegetation Greenyer said.

‘‘People have to be careful about the activities they undertake. If they’re unsure, they can contact Fenz and we’ll give advice on a course of action.’’

He said Fenz consistently measured fuel and ground moisture to determine what fire restrictions were necessary.

Greenyer urged people to visit checkitsalright.nz for information about whether it’s safe to light fires in particular areas. damage,’’