February 10, 2009

Australia's devastating bush fires have raised awareness about the fire danger in South Canterbury.
What little rain is forecast after days of high temperatures throughout the Mackenzie and South Canterbury districts won't be enough to fix the problem, and fire bans are expected to be made in the coming days.
Keeping an eye on the ever- growing fire risk are South Canterbury principal rural fire officer Rob Hands and Mackenzie's Department of Conservation area manager Richard McNamara.
With extensive fire fighting backgrounds, including stints fighting big fires overseas, both say the situation here is getting extreme and that people can't be careful enough.
MetService predictions were for warm and dry weather until winter, Mr McNamara said.
'People need to be aware of that and take the appropriate action.
'Think twice before driving into dry paddocks and think twice before lighting camp fires. It's drying out very quickly now, we haven't had any significant rainfall for a couple of weeks.'
A minimum of 70mm of rain would be needed to reduce the risk.
'We need that easy and the forecast doesn't look like it will give it to us any time soon.'
The 5mm or 6mm of rain forecast over the coming days won't be anywhere near enough, Mr Hands said. 'I'm guessing we need upwards of two or three dumps of an inch [2.5cm] over about 15 days.'
So far, there have been no bans on 4WD vehicles over paddocks, though Mr McNamara said some farmers would be hesitant about letting the vehicles on their land.
The last major fire event to happen the high country took place at Mt Cook Station last January.
The blaze, caused by fencers using a chainsaw, covered more than 740 hectares covered in wilding pine and larch trees. More than 70 firefighters, 12 aircraft and heavy earthmoving equipment were used to fight it.
Mr McNamara said it cost about $800,000, reportedly the most expensive fire in a decade.