New insights into rural fire risk
New student research from the University of Canterbury in partnership with Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) could improve knowledge surrounding the risk of wildfire.
“We are continually urging landowners to maintain trees near power lines to avoid power outages,” he says. “That message is doubly important in these tinder dry conditions when tree damage can cause fires.”
Jamieson says it’s essential people assume all fallen lines are live and stay well clear. He says the Canterbury company has done all it can to prevent fires being sparked by electrical equipment. One of these steps means it will take longer to restore power in rural areas, but cuts the risk of fire.
“Several weeks ago as the region was drying out we changed our operating practices because of the heightened fire risk. For example, normally a piece of equipment called a “recloser” automatically restores power to an overhead line after a momentary power cut. So if a tree branch falls on a line in high winds it may cut power for a second or two. When the branch then falls to the ground the recloser automatically reinstates power to the line.
“Automatic reclosers are a great means of restoring power quickly but every time they try to reinstate the power they can create a spark.”
Orion has shut down all automatic reclosers on its rural network and will manually check overhead lines to find the cause of power cuts while the fire danger remains high. “Unfortunately this means it will take longer to get the power back on, but we can’t take the risk of starting a fire in the current conditions.”
Selwyn deputy principal rural fire officer Douglas Marshall says “currently the fire risk in Selwyn is very high, and on days with high winds or hot weather, or both, the fire risk becomes extreme”.
He says property owners must now consider what they can do to reduce the chance of a fire damaging their home.
“It’s important that people don’t light fires,” says Marshall.
“Even if we do receive some rain the fire risk will remain very high as vegetation is extremely dry and rain is not a signal that people can light fires.”
He says the council will seek to recover fire callout costs from anyone who breaches the fire restrictions. People can also be liable for the cost of fire damage. To date this year nine individuals have been billed for fire callout costs in Selwyn.
Do all you can
To help reduce the risk of a fire damaging your property you can take the following steps:
- Make preparations so your family is able to leave your property quickly. You can find advice and information on how to prepare a household emergency plan and an emergency kit online at www.getthru.govt.nz
- Check you have smoke alarms installed and these are working
- Check trees on your property are at least 3m away from power lines.
- Rural dwellers should keep a clear space around their houses to act as fire breaks: clear vegetation within 10m of buildings. Keep this area watered and green and remove trees, branches, shrubs and long grass. Do not store wood or other flammable materials inside this area
- Check you have a wide entrance to your property or paddocks, at least 4m high and 4m wide to allow fire trucks access
- If you have animals or stock consider what preparations you can make for them should a fire threaten
- Get to know your neighbours so that anyone who needs help leaving in a fire emergency can receive help, or so that if you need help to evacuate, other people are aware of this and can help
