Waikato gears up for the heat
As sizzling weather sweeps the country, Coromandel holidaymakers enjoyed one of the hottest days of the summer yesterday.
But Waikato agencies are gearing up to increase fire and water use restrictions if the hot weather holds. While not reaching Canterbury’s maximums of 36, 37 – even 39°C – Waikato isn’t escaping the heat.
Hamilton city will be baking at 29°C today , and the wider Waikato region, including Matamata and Te Awamutu, is set to swelter until February 1. In the Coromandel, temperatures in the high twenties would continue until Friday, according to MetService.
Yesterday, swimmers in Whangamata¯ were enjoying a balmy water temperature of 20.9°C.
Whangamata Wharf warden Bob Storey said it was probably the hottest day of 2020 so far.
‘‘It’s a beautiful day and it’s great to see so many out enjoying it. There’s nothing more Kiwi than people coming to the beach for the whole day to enjoy the sun and the surf.’’
Amongst the crowds of swimmers and blazing heat, Tauranga resident Matt Rode was on a mission. With his metal detector in hand, he spent the day diving into the shallow waters searching for booty.
‘‘It’s a beautiful day and definitely the hottest day this week.’’
So far he had only found a few coins and old ring, but was feeling lucky.
‘‘I do this any chance I get, even on holidays. It’s one of those things that you get addicted to.’’
Prone to some tinder dry areas, Thames-Coromandel has been in a prohibited fire season since December 2020.
This means there is a total ban on open air fires.
Principal rural fire officer Matt Cook said while you can’t stamp out ‘‘the idiot factor’’, people have generally behaved very well.
‘‘There’s always going to be the odd person who think the rules aren’t for them, but in general people understand, they look around and see the risk.’’
Fire and Emergency was constantly looking at upcoming hot, dry conditions in North, South and Central Waikato, Cook said. He wouldn’t be surprised if those areas went to a restricted or prohibited fire season in the next two weeks, he said.
‘‘If people wish to have a fire, do it in the morning when it’s cooler, when the winds are low.’’
In general, Waikato is not as exposed to the ‘‘killer’’ warm winds Canterbury faces, but the hot, dry weather means fire risk is there, Cook said.
And Hamiltonians may have to turn off those daily sprinklers soon, as further water restrictions loom.
Hamilton City Council city waters manager Maire Porter said residents had used 2000 million litres of water, on average 64 million litres of water a day, over the past month.
There had actually been lower than normal usage in the past week, given days of sporadic rain.
But she expected water restrictions in Hamilton to increase.
Water restrictions are currently at level 1, which means sprinkler use in the garden is limited to between 6am-8am in the morning, and 6pm-8pm at night.
‘‘Based on the forecasted heat and the usual increased demand for water there is a high chance of level two restrictions in the next week or two weeks.’’
At level two restrictions, sprinkler use is limited to alternate days between the same morning and evening hours.
Hamiltonians were generally very good at conserving water, Porter said.
‘‘Water conservation and water use is something that should be happening all year round – like turning the taps off, taking shorter showers and using pool covers to make sure water doesn’t evaporate.’’
‘‘If people wish to have a fire, do it in the morning when it’s cooler, when the winds are low.’’
Principal rural fire officer Matt Cook