Wellington region under restricted fire season
A restricted fire season is in place for Wellington, with people requiring a fire permit if they wish to light an outdoor fire.
The prohibited fire season came into effect at 9am Monday and covers multiple areas in the region. If you are in Wairarapa/Tararua distrcict then a PROHIBITED fire season still remains.
Principal Rural Fire Officer Craig Cottrill says permit holders should follow the instructions provided carefully.
"The dry vegetation acts as fuel for a wildfire, meaning if a wildfire did start it could spread very quickly... We’ve seen this with a few vegetation fires in the area recently, including one in Makara earlier this month where firefighters and helicopters worked hard over two days to put it out," he says.
What you need to know:
- The restrictions cover the following areas: Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Wellington City and the Hutt Valley.
- You cannot light an outdoor fire unless you have a permit.
- Gas and charcoal barbecues are permitted.
- Individuals that operate heavy machinery are advised to exercise caution when out in dry terrain. Fire crews advise to undertake work in cooler temperatures and in minimal wind.
To find out more about outdoor fire safety, please go to Fire and Emergency New Zealand's (FENZ) website by clicking the button below.
Driven On The Akatarawa Rd Lately?
If so, its good to know you are still alive and reading this.
We have a function to go to over Christmas up that way and having heard a few hairy stories about the road, I went up there on Thursday to check it out. The road's ok, narrow and winding, but not much worse than a Wellington hill suburb. What was pretty scary was the behavior of other drivers. Three vehicles heading the other way at speed would have crashed into me if I hadn't been pulled off the road. I had pulled in to check the address when a truck came flying past, taking up all of the narrow road at speed. There is no way the driver would have been able to stop had they come around the corner immediately in front of me. The other two drivers came hurtling past as I had turned in to turn around and come back down the hill. They were also driving at speed and taking up most of the road. Coming back down I passed another car coming up and estimate that the safe speed to pass another car was about 30-35 kms.p.h. So, now we're thinking, do we go to the function or not.? Feels a bit like we're taking our life in our hands going up there. Drivers appear to be overconfident, and they are courting serious injury.
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
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