Preparing now for a higher-risk Canterbury fire season

While summer may still feel some way off, preparations for a potentially challenging fire season are already underway across Canterbury's regional parks, river corridors and forestry areas.

For the last year, our teams have been getting ready for the forecast El Niño weather pattern, which will bring dry conditions and increase the fire risk across Canterbury.

According to Earth Sciences New Zealand, El Niño is strengthening rapidly and has a good chance of becoming the strongest on record.

Preparing regional parks for wildfire risk

Wildfires are a very real risk to Canterburys' regional parks because dry vegetation and recreational activity can increase the likelihood and potential impact of a fire. Past fires have shown how quickly they can spread in hot, dry and windy conditions, putting people, property and natural areas at risk.

Our teams have been reviewing how we manage our land, bringing planned work forward by six to eight weeks, and clearing or managing vegetation that could become fuel for a fire as conditions dry out.

Environment Canterbury Regional Parks Team Leader Karen Elliott said much of the fire protection work happens well before the public ever sees a restriction or closure.

“Fire preparedness doesn’t start when we get the first really hot week of summer,” she said.

“A lot of what gives us the best chance of preventing fires and responding well if they do happen is the work we’re doing months beforehand.”

Fire prevention work across Canterbury

Fire prevention work includes:

• more frequent mowing and vegetation clearance,
• establishing firebreaks (areas where vegetation and other combustible material have been cleared to help slow or stop a fire from spreading) in forestry areas
• extra maintenance around Kaiapoi Island and the Weedons Ross Road trail bike hubs to help reduce fire risk.

Our rivers and regional parks teams are also working together to create and improve firebreaks alongside other planned maintenance work, making use of machinery already operating in those areas.

Water tanks installed at Takapō have also been checked with Fire and Emergency New Zealand to confirm they are ready for use if required. 

“The benefit of planning early is that we can reduce fire risk as part of work we’re already doing,” Karen said.

Watching conditions closely

We work closely with Fire and Emergency New Zealand and, as conditions become drier over the summer months, fire weather information will be used to guide how work is carried out across regional parks and forestry areas.

As fire danger rises, activities that could create heat or sparks can be restricted or stopped. That can include chainsaw use, machinery operations, and some trail-bike activity. In particularly high-risk conditions, areas may also be temporarily closed to the public.

Many of our kaimahi are volunteer firefighters, and those who may support a fire response also undertake regular scenario-based training and equipment checks ahead of the high-risk period.

Everyone can help reduce the risk

Everyone has a role to play in preventing fires. A few simple actions can help keep people, property and the environment safe:

• checking current fire restrictions before heading out
• avoiding driving or parking on long, dry grass
• taking extra care with vehicles or equipment that could create heat or sparks
• following any closures, restrictions or signage
• reporting smoke or fire immediately by calling 111.

“We're not asking people to be worried, but we are asking them to be prepared. The steps we take now, both as an organisation and as a community, can make a real difference during the summer months,” Karen said.