Fire Restrictions Lifted in New Plymouth District

The recent rain has been enough to end all fire restrictions in New Plymouth District.

The fire ban was lifted in urban areas earlier this week, but now no permits will be required for lighting fires in rural areas either.

“Rural residents will still need to exercise care with their fires, but I’m glad to say there has been enough rain for the council to lift all fire restrictions,” says Principle Rural Fire Officer Lester Barnes.

Mr Barnes thanked residents for their cooperation with the fire restrictions. “I realise that rural residents in particular faced difficulties as the prohibitions impacted on their normal farm activities and management, so their efforts are very much appreciated.”

Until the recent rain, New Plymouth District had recorded its third-driest season since records began at New Plymouth Airport in January 1976.

The readings are for the drought code (soil moisture deficit) and build-up index (dry material available to feed a fire). A drought code of 200 is high and 300 is extreme, while a build-up index of 40 is high and 60 is extreme.

On Thursday 27 March New Plymouth Airport had a drought code of 495 and a build-up index of 73.

Only two previous years have had higher ratings: 2002/03 had a drought code high of 530 and build-up index of 82, while 1977/78 had a drought code of 540 and build-up index of 80.

“So yes, this has been an exceptionally dry year for New Plymouth District – but I hope this rain has broken the back of it and we will see more rain over the coming weeks,” says Mr Barnes.