Firefighters say they're disappointed by people behaving stupidly with fireworks overnight - including one case where people were launching them at a horse.
- Historic Skippers Canyon building burnt down
- This story was first published by RNZ
Emergency services yesterday warned people not to light fires or let off fireworks after a spate of small blazes around the country, and given the extremely dry conditions in many regions.
But fire crews were still called to several fireworks related calls overnight, particularly in the South Island.
Southern shift manager Riwai Grace said they experienced a busy period responding to firework callouts between 10pm and 2am this morning.
He said many people were acting irresponsibly and it was lucky it did not result in a big fire, or someone getting hurt.
"What was very disappointing is we've got extreme dry weather conditions and the chances of major fires happening because of people being stupid, and I don't mind using that word, it was quite shocking."
He said one of their first calls was in Christchurch, where a group of people were firing fireworks at a horse.
"That's very distressing but people are just not using common sense you know, and you imagine what that was like for the horse and for the horse owner.
"The amount of jobs where people in these extremely dry areas were letting off fireworks, and in farming communities as well, I'm thinking, 'imagine if a fire had kicked off last night?' It would have just been a nightmare, but people didn't take that warning to heed. If people don't, we're on for a very, long, dry, busy summer and we don't want that."
He said thankfully people were calling in early with reports of people letting of fireworks in areas where there were fire bans in place.
But his warning still stood.
"You might think lighting fireworks is fine, but what if you burn down your neighbours house, or even your own house, how are you going to feel? We're just asking people to use common sense."
Fire and Emergency New Zealand communications shift manager Tim Reynolds told the Otago Daily Times apart from the significant blaze at Skippers Canyon it was a typical New Year's for firefighters across Otago.
There were a number of callouts including to illegal bonfires.
Meanwhile, a helicopter is dampening down hotspots at a fire in Coromandel sparked by fireworks.
Crews were called to the blaze at Fletcher Bay shortly after midnight and it spread to about 5 hectares of bush.
The fire is near a camping ground but it is now contained, though still smouldering.
A helicopter with monsoon buckets is at the scene.
Fire and Emergency has confirmed the blaze was started by fireworks.
Fire crews were also working to put out a gorse fire near a racecourse in Northland today.
Five crews have been fighting the fire at Ruakaka Racecourse, south of Whangarei.
