Fire trucks responded to this controlled burn-off near Hilton Rd, in Highcliff, yesterday after firefighters fielded calls from members of the public. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON Firefighters are urging the public to tell them about controlled burns in advance to save them wasting resources after crews were sent to a blaze in Dunedin yesterday. A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokeswoman said they responded with appliances from Dunedin and St Kilda stations about 9.30am yesterday after receiving a couple of calls about smoke in the Highcliff area. The smoke was coming from a controlled burn, which had no issues. While there was a restricted fire season in place along areas of the Otago Peninsula, the spokeswoman said yesterday’s burn-off was within an area with an open fire season. However, firefighters could not confirm that until they arrived on scene. "It just would be nice for members of the public, even if they’re having a burn in an open season, to let us know. "If a fire’s going to put up smoke, then people are going to be concerned no matter what and ring us. "And if we have no prior knowledge of it, then we, of course, will send a fire engine to go and investigate." People did get concerned when they saw smoke, and it was not uncommon for people to report smoke sightings from a distance, the spokeswoman said. Not everyone would realise it might be coming from a controlled burn during an open season. People were required to ring Fenz if they had a permit, she said. "Even if you don’t have a permit, it saves someone turning up in your driveway with a fire truck — and that’s always embarrassing. It gives people peace of mind. "It also gives us a contact for the person that’s having the burn so, if we have any doubts, we can ring them for a start." tim.scott@odt.co.nz
