The Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is advising the public that Mt Iron may be subject to closure this summer in response to an increasingly high risk of wildfire.

The Mt Iron Reserve is subject to a year-round total fire ban, and new reserve closure protocols would be introduced when fire indices reach extreme levels. 

“Our reserves are great places to visit and enjoy,” QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey said. 

“But as hot, dry and windy conditions set in over summer there may be days where elevated fire danger means it's unsafe.”

Ken said that closing the reserve on these days means “all appropriate steps are being taken to remove the potential for ignition to occur and reduce the risk to life or property”.

Reserve closure and activity management procedures have been developed to provide guidance to contractors, staff, leaseholders and the community on how to assess wildfire risk, identifying clear trigger points to activate a closure. 

Ken said taking steps to close reserves during periods of extreme risk is just one of the interventions underway.

“Along with introducing reserve closures, we’re in the process of installing an environmental monitoring system … [and] will be introducing new signage and supporting Fire and Emergency NZ to amplify community education on fire safety and risk,” he said.

Closure notifications will occur through onsite signage, media release, social media, community text alert, the QLDC website and direct communication to groups such as business chambers and regional tourism organisations.

“We also know that closing … reserves may impact people’s recreation, so we only take this step when it is deemed really necessary to do so,” Ken said.

PHOTO: Supplied