Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, 2010

RURAL FIRE (WILDFIRES)OverviewHazardLikelihood (C)HazardConsequence(2)Rural fires are typically started by people either deliberately or unintentionally, such as byland clearing burn-off which gets out of control or open-fire cooking at camp sites. Fire isof higher risk in dry-condition summer months when there are also more people visitingthe region and using traditional cooking methods such as hangi or open-fire barbeques.Some areas of Northland are more susceptible to rural fires because of low rainfall and anabundance of combustible vegetation. These areas include but are not limited to areasaround Aupouri, Rangiputa, Ahipara and Poutu Peninsulas and coastal areas fromDoubtless Bay to Mangawhai.The Department of Conservation had a large fire in its west coast native block at Waipaouaforest which started on the 1 st Feb 2007, possibly from an open fire BBQ on the beach. Itburnt approximately 223 hectares of mainly Crown and conservation forest land until itwas officially declared over on 15 March 2007. Its cost DOC $760,000 to put out and used2609 man hours.Very difficult to make an assessment. Even analysis of historical data is problematic as thefactors affecting fire probability (such as land use) have changed over time.Social: Distress due to displacement and loss of possessions may be encountered in both ruraland urban events. Toxic fumes and smoke plumes have the potential to causerespiratory problems. There should be sufficient warning to evacuate to avoid loss oflife and injury. The impact is likely to be worse in a scenario where the bush fire is in an area neardeveloped townships (for example, bush behind coastal towns).Built-Economic: Destruction of large commercial forestry blocks and rural residential developments.Farmland and horticultural activities could also be affected. Tourism impacts if tourist areas affected.Environmental: Large areas can be affected in rural fires, with bush and pastures destroyed. Habitatsare affected and the incidence of air pollution increases. However, these effects arelargely short to medium term.How do wemanage thisrisk?What moreshould we bedoing?What is thefuture risk?Fire risk signs and fire restrictions are used around Northland.Fire breaks.The Fire Service, Accident Compensation Corporation and the Ministry of Educationare working in partnership and have introduced a number of fire safety initiativestargeting at risk communities (Maori and the elderly) in Northland.Wild Fire Risk Analysis.Improve ‘defensible space’ areas around houses, through public education/awarenessand improved planning/consenting consideration to wildfire threat.The effect of climate change with more frequent and more intense droughts is likely toincrease the possibility and severity of fire in rural areas.Increased human risk from rural fires due to residential development recentlyextending into fire prone areas.Northland Civil Defence Emergency Management Plan, 2010-2015 Page 79