Fire risk in mowing roadside vegetation

 "The fire environment has reached the point where it has become extremely dangerous and high risk to use a mechanical mower to top paddocks and mow road sides," says Anders Crofoot, Federated Farmers rural fire spokesperson.

According to Crofoot, the Wairarapa Rural Fire District has attended six vegetation fires in the last 14 days that were due to people mowing the roadside or topping paddocks.

"Wairarapa Rural Fire and the Federation strongly recommend any mowing activity is postponed until weather conditions allow and the fire risk is lower."

"If you have plans to or continue to mow or top, you should consult your rural fire authority first and have precautions in place to immediately respond to and extinguish any fire."

Crofoot says that it is important that people remember that they are liable for any damage and costs associated with putting out fires that they may have started. Therefore, people should think twice before doing any activity that could start a fire.

"Another risk is using a firearm; the bullet hitting a hard surface that can cause sparks is also a risk. There has been mention of tracer bullets being sold, which have a burning part of the pellet to provide the trace, which people also need to be made aware of."

Crofoot added that in the event of any fire dial 111 immediately, stating the location of the fire and what is on fire.

"Everyone needs to remain vigilant until we start getting some rain, check whether your area is under the Prohibited or Restricted Fire Season and what that means to you."

For more information on Fire Restrictions in your area, check out www.nrfa.org.nz