Men sentenced for lighting devastating blaze in key wetlands

Firefighters reported seeing flames soaring up to 20m high as flames engulfed the internationally...
Firefighters reported seeing flames soaring up to 20m high as flames engulfed the internationally significant Awarua Wetlands in April 2022. PHOTO: TONI MCDONALD
Two men ignited and fled from the fire that turned a large part of the Awarua Wetlands into a desolate wasteland.
 
Brendon Robert Hunter, 32, was before the Invercargill District Court yesterday for lighting the devastating fire, while Thomas Bernard Fulton, 36, watched him do it.
 
Both were charged with not notifying Fire and Emergency New Zealand of the fire.
 
The court heard that following a particularly dry summer in Southland, the entire district had been under a restrictive fire season since January 26, 2022.
 
There had been notifications of this fire-ban on social media, the radio, local newspapers and "total fire ban" signs  in the area.
 
The Fenz summary said that on April 2, 2022, Hunter, Fulton and an associate drove though the Awarua Wetlands passing one of the fire-ban signs and two "fire permit only" signs.
 
Once  at their destination, Hunter used a cigarette lighter to light material in dry and windy conditions that quickly caused flames 4m-5m high.
 
Fulton, upon seeing the blaze, tried to use seaweed or wet grass to put it out, the summary said.
 
But ultimately, the court heard, the two men and their associate fled the calamity and drove away. 
 
They were stopped by two witnesses, who had parked blocking the Awarua Bay Rd bridge.
 
The witnesses said the men denied knowing the cause of the fire and carried on, but the onlookers recorded the car's numberplate as they drove away.
 
Flames, fuelled by wind gusts up to 65kmh, erupted 20m into the air as the fire consumed more than 1350ha in a 24km perimeter of the internationally significant protected Awarua Wetlands conservation area.
 
The Department of Conservation said the Waituna Wetlands, part of the greater Awarua Wetlands, were one of the largest remaining in New Zealand.
 
The Waituna Wetlands are home to a wide range of birds, fish and reptiles as well as  rare species of plants and animals.
 
Information released under the Official Information Act shows the cost to extinguish the fire was $1,559,266 including $1,262,057 for aerial services.
 
It took several Fenz ground crews from Otago and Southland, assisted by nine helicopters, bulldozers, graders and drones with thermal cameras, almost a week to gain control of the burning peat and manuka scrub.
 
Fenz eventually signed off the site  27 days after the fire was lit.
 
Awarua was ranked the second-largest fire in New Zealand for the 2021-22 season and released 104,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide.
 
In court, Hunter said he had come across a large freezer full of rotting meat abandoned by his favourite fishing spot and lit the fire to get rid of the smell.
 
Judge Russell Walker said this excuse was "reckless at best, given the circumstances".
 
The judge sentenced the man who lit the fire to six months' home detention and added another month for outstanding fines.
 
Fulton, who has an arson conviction from 19 years ago for stealing and setting  a scooter on fire, was sentenced to 200 hours' community work and 12 months' supervision.
 
Both were ordered to pay $500 towards Fenz and $10,000 reparation, which was to be split between the beekeeper who lost $4000 worth of hives and Doc.
 
Judge Walker said the reparation ordered was a "nominal amount" because the true cost of the devastation was far beyond either of their means.
 
 - By Toni McDonald and Ella Scott-Fleming