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Fire ban continues in stratford district

Friday 22 February 2008, 3:30PM

By Stratford District Council

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Fire ban continues in Stratford
Fire ban continues in Stratford Credit: infonews.co.nz
Fire ban continues in Stratford
Fire ban continues in Stratford Credit: infonews.co.nz

STRATFORD

A total fire ban continues in both rural and urban areas of the Stratford District.


Principal Rural Fire Officer Kieran Best says while recent rain has dampened the soil surface, the moisture deficit is still at extreme levels.


“When you look across an area of grass it may look green. But stop for a moment and look directly down - that is when you’ll see the dry brown grass underneath. If a fire starts in this situation it burns underneath the green grass. When it spreads to sub-surface tree roots it’s very difficult to extinguish.


Until the dry matter becomes wet, the fire prohibition will remain in place.”


Although rain has been falling over the past few days, it has not been enough to wet the dry matter and allow the prohibition to be lifted. In addition, an extended dry period is expected throughout March.


The fire prohibition means all open-air fires – including coal barbecues, hangi and braziers – are banned, with only gas-fired barbecues allowed outdoors.