Things are heating up in Waitaki as temperatures soar and the fire risk escalates.
On Sunday, the district’s volunteer firefighters dealt with multiple vegetation fires — mainly flareups from previous burnoffs or out-of-control rubbish burns.
With temperatures in the low 30s and a gusty northwester blowing, a vegetation fire at Danseys Pass mobilised the Duntroon, Kurow, Weston and Waitaki brigades at 7.05pm on Sunday.
Less than 45 minutes later, a vegetation fire at Glenbrook Station, between Omarama and Twizel, turned out the Omarama and Twizel brigades.
Then, shortly after 9.45pm, a vegetation fire at Island Cliff near Tokarahi resulted in further calls on volunteer firefighters with the Duntroon, Weston, Waitaki and Kurow brigades on the ground.
Just over 30 minutes later, five South Canterbury brigades including Glenavy were called to a fire at Waihao Downs at 10.22pm, following a number of other outdoor fire calls on Sunday throughout the Timaru district.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) Waitaki group manager Mike Harrison said it had been hectic for volunteers.
"The brigades were going from one to another."
Mr Harrison said a combination of factors were at play — wind and high temperatures.
"We’ve had rubbish fires that have got away in the wind."
One vegetation fire was believed to have started through powerlines arcing in the wind.
Another was thought to be from a motorcycle catching fire.
A burnoff at Waihao Downs late last month was believed to be behind the flareup there on Sunday night.
"With the dry weather, with temperatures and high winds, those burns we had in the last few weeks, they can reignite.
"It has been a very busy 48 hours for our firefighters," Mr Harrison said yesterday.
And he feared the forecast this week, ahead of hoped-for rain, would bring more outdoor fires.
"We’re expecting more — more high winds today, warm temperatures."
While the coastal side of Waitaki was not subject to fire restrictions yet, Fenz was keeping "a close eye" on it.
The inland part of Waitaki from Otiake near Kurow is now subject to a restricted fire season.
Mr Harrison said the public should take care, regardless of whether their area was still in open-fire season.
The trigger impact of wind — as already seen last weekend — quickly escalated risk, and those lighting outdoor fires needed to be mindful of that, he said.
"The big thing is that even though we’re in an open season, people still need to be very responsible."
That included ensuring any fire was left completely out, with water being sprayed on the fire area to the point the ground was no longer hot to touch, Mr Harrison said.
