Fireworks were the suspected cause of a grass fire that 20 firefighters fought for 30 minutes on Cape Wanbrow, above Oamaru Harbour, on Thursday, the first day fireworks went on sale to the public.
A restricted fire season was yesterday declared for the central and lakes zones, meaning permits are required for all open-air fires, except gas cookers, gas barbecues and fires in permanent fireplaces.
Otago Region Principal Rural Fire Officer Graeme Still said it could be the start of a bad season.
The region was "inundated" with 27 fireworks-related callouts during Guy Fawkes weekend about seven years ago, when grass and scrub conditions were similar to this year’s.
"This cycle now is like the time we had that really high turnout.
"We don’t want that again.
"At the moment, the Lakes and Central areas are pretty dry. It’s not good.
"Queenstown, Wanaka and Alexandra are at the high to very high end in terms of dryness."
Mr Still said a large area of Queenstown (from the gondolas to Rat Point) was so dry it had been "red zoned" and fireworks were not permitted.
The coastal zone, from Balclutha to Oamaru, had a moderate to high fire risk at the moment and residents also needed to be "very, very careful" with fireworks.
He said if fireworks were let off in any area where fire danger conditions were moderate or above, they could set fire to grass or scrub and cause a major fire.
The MetService forecast about 3mm of rain on the coast yesterday, but Mr Still said it would not be enough to saturate tinder-dry grass or scrub.
‘‘It will help immensely, but [today], it’s going to heat up again. So that 3mm of rain might evaporate.
"People need to be aware that around hedges, shelter belts and trees, that rain isn’t going to [help]. They will still be dry.
"If you get a firework into one of them, it’s not going to be good."
He advised people to light fireworks in calm conditions, in wide open spaces.
"We don’t want to be killjoys, but we need people to show some common sense."
The MetService is forecasting afternoon showers for today and similar weather tomorrow, which would help the situation. It is also forecasting afternoon showers for Alexandra tomorrow.
Mr Still was worried there had been very few requests for permits to hold professionally controlled public fireworks displays.
"It’s worrying because that’s where we encourage people to go."
He was concerned the lack of public fireworks events would encourage more people to buy their own fireworks, which could in turn increase the number of callouts to fires.
In New Zealand, fireworks can only be sold in the four days leading up to Guy Fawkes (November 2-5) by those 18 and over with valid identification.
A Warehouse spokesman said fireworks sales in Dunedin had been slow, but were expected to increase.
Roof fire
• Firefighters were called to a roof fire in Titan St, just off Great King St, about 9.30pm yesterday.
Senior Station Officer Pete Douglas, of Roslyn Fire Station, said the fire was caused by occupants of the flat setting off fireworks too close to the property on the narrow street.
"When we pulled up, smoke was coming up from both sides of the eaves and was starting to get quite thick and quite dark," he said.
The outcome could have been much worse had a passerby not noticed smoke coming from the roof.
Fireworks safety
• Using a torch, read and follow instructions on fireworks packaging.
• Wait for a calm evening before lighting fireworks.
• Light fireworks in an open area away from people, buildings, trees and livestock.
• Keep pets indoors.Keep a bucket of water, a hose or a fire extinguisher handy.
• Have only adults light fireworks, one at a time.
• Keep unlit fireworks in the bag or box they came in, away from where they are being lit.
• Leave dud fireworks alone. Do not try to relight them.
• Stay sober.
• Be considerate of neighbours.
