Fire Safety Reminder for Matariki, Residents Urged to Take Care with Beach Bonfires in the Eastern Bay

Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging Eastern Bay of Plenty residents to take extra care when lighting beach bonfires over the Matariki long weekend.

The region is currently in an open fire season, which means outdoor fires are allowed without a permit. However, residents should still double-check their fire location, especially to ensure they’re not on Department of Conservation (DOC) land, where a separate permit is required.

Fire and Emergency Community Risk Advisor Paul Hunter said while no permit is needed in most cases, some simple precautions can prevent things from getting out of hand.

"It's important to check the weather forecast beforehand, as you want conditions that aren’t too windy. Checking the specific location you plan to light a fire is also important" Hunter said. "You should also be aware of how much driftwood is around the area."

Driftwood has been piling up across the Eastern Bay recently. While it may seem safe due to its time in the water, driftwood is often made up of dry, dense wood, which is actually highly flammable and presets itself as a potential hazard.

"Make sure your fire is well away from driftwood and any sand dune vegetation," Hunter advised.

He also stressed the importance of fully extinguishing fires before leaving the beach.

"Most Kiwis take a chilly bin down with them anyway, once it’s empty, we suggest filling it with water and pouring it over the fire," he said. "Keep doing this until the fire is completely out."

Although there hasn’t been a notable trend of fire incidents during previous Matariki weekends, Fire and Emergency NZ believes that regular safety reminders are always valuable.