Fire ban intensified in Far North

A ban has been imposed on the use of solid fuel barbeques and all incinerators as the fire risk continues to increase in the Far North.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Lance Johnston said today the use of incinerators had already been responsible for two fires this season and the risk was no longer acceptable.

"Initially it was thought purpose-built barbeques and incinerators with spark arrestors could be exceptions to the ban on lighting fires in the open. But the light of the tragic bush fires in Australia, we are taking every possible precaution to avoid a similar situation developing in the Far North.

"Fortunately the two fires which developed from incinerators were able to be controlled very quickly. However there are no guarantees we will be so lucky if there is another incident.

"I'm also taking the extra precaution of excluding solid-fuel barbeques. An increasing number of these are located within or very close to Department of Conservation reserves and it would only take a wind gust to spark the tinder-dry surrounds," he said.

Mr Johnston said purpose-built gas-fired barbeques could still be used however.

"We will continue to consider issuing special permits for tangi and also for the disposal of environmental health hazards to prevent the possible spread of disease. But in all other cases, except for gas barbeques, lighting a fire in the open is banned," he said.

"The situation in Australia has been a real wake-up call," he said.