Firefighters prepare for a long, hot El Nino summer

Fire and Emergency NZ has stepped up rural fire initiatives in the wake of El Nino summer weather projections and the charred landscapes from thousands of raging forest fires across the globe.

Planning sessions have been held country-wide, with particular focus on plantation forest vulnerability.

Martinborough chief fire officer Jake Hawkins said that initially, “because the season to date has been so wet,” there was not yet a general concern that the season was going to present a “rough time.” 

“But all predictions are that it is going to be a dry season (and) we in the Wairarapa,  especially Martinborough region, we get a typically dry summer. We’re very prepared for that.” 

“Hopefully in preparation, everyone will be mowing their lawns, mowing their grasses in the countryside.”

The historically low incidence of countryside fires “could possibly change because in the past two years there has been a huge amount of forestry gone in, and they don’t have to maintain their grass around their trees, and the trees are of such a young age that there’s a lot of vegetation which can burn. 

“So if it does get into a forestry block we could be in a bit of strife,” he told The Star.

“These are just freshly planted trees so it (fire) will travel through them very quickly. … Continue Reading

Fire Brigade Report

Brent Townsend

By Chief Fire Officer Jake Hawkins

We reached the milestone of 200 Medical First Responses so far this year at Labour Weekend and we are rapidly approaching 300 calls in total. 

Our new Medical Responders are on board with training completed, and are now out responding to help in the community. A big thanks to everyone whom generously donated at the Town Hall Market Days over the long weekend, it will ensure we have the best equipment on hand when we are called to assist.

We are starting our planning and training for the forecast El Nino summer ahead. Remember, if you smell smoke or see smoke its time to Dial 111 immediately.

We have responded to several vegetation fire lately, its drying out, and a worthwhile reminder for people to be careful with controlled burns, check the weather and fire seasons with permit requirements for all types of fires (including braziers and cooking fires) – these can be checked anytime online at www.checkitsalright.nz 

Congratulations to Brett Townsend on completing thye Station Officers Course and his promotion to Station Officer and to Tamara Hudepohl, John Crighton and Corina Lawson on completing their Qualified Firefighter Course, all the feedback was hugely positive with lots of new skills ready for consolidation over the next few months. … Continue Reading

Native forests coming back to South Wairarapa

By Martin Freeth – Trees of Martinborough

Great progress is being made on native tree planting of “forest corridors” across the lower valley of South Wairarapa. The 2023 planting season ended in August, with a further 29 hectares added to the Tonganui Corridors project.

Farmers, landowners and other volunteers put nearly 51,000 native trees and shrubs into the ground during May-August and the Tonganui Corridors plantings now cover a total of 109 hectares.

The goal is to establish new blocks of forest across the rural landscape so these become, in time, ecological corridors linking the Aorangi Forest Park and the Remutuka Forest Park. Birds are already loving it, and so are New Zealand’s indigenous lizard species.

This planting season has been the fourth since work on the Tonganui Corridors was launched by the Aorangi Restoration Trust in 2020. Trust Operations Manager Aaron Donges says thousands of young trees are now thriving and good canopy cover has already been achieved on some blocks as a basis for regeneration over the decades ahead.

“It’s amazing to see how quickly the birds, skinks and other lizards are thriving in the planted areas, and how new seedlings are appearing and expanding the biodiversity,” Aaron told The Martinborough Star. 

Progress with the corridors has huge interest from ecology students at Victoria University who have various wildlife and plant study projects underway.

In total, there are now 40 blocks planted, each reflecting a deep ecological commitment by South Wairarapa farmers and landowners.

“Bush regeneration is becoming a real passion for many rural people and on farms, it can be a perfect fit with plans for increased riparian planting to enhance freshwater quality and for offsetting greenhouse gas emissions,” says Aaron.  … Continue Reading

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