Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is urging residents to start preparing for the risk of fire early as the hot and windy weather forecast for this summer begins to arrive.

The El Niño weather pattern predicted for this summer could cause higher temperatures and more intense winds, increasing the risk of wildfires, FENZ group manager Central Otago Bobby Lamont told the Wānaka App.

“We have experienced La Nina over the last year or two, which means we had the heat but not the winds,” Bobby said. 

He said the winds, pointing the northwesterlies experienced around the Upper Clutha on Wednesday and Thursday last week as early examples of what is to come, will dry out available fuel and make fires extremely challenging to control.

FENZ Central Otago is monitoring fire indices - measures of humidity, wind and available fuel - daily.

“If we compare it to this time last year we are in most parts of Central Otago, including Hāwea, Wānaka, Luggate and Tarras, we are three times higher already,” Bobby said. 

Ninety-eight per cent of New Zealand wildfires are caused by people and there is a lot people can do to prevent them and protect themselves and their property.

Bobby recommends residents visit the Check It’s Alright website for “an absolute goldmine” of useful advice. 

Some of that advice includes ensuring you have clear and defensible spaces around your home: keeping the grass short, clearing gutters, and ensuring firewood isn’t stacked against the house.

“If we think of wildfire moving, embers will be moving ahead of the fire, so you don’t want anything near your house that can easily light up,” Bobby said

Residents should also be extra cautious if they have power lines near their homes and ensure any nearby vegetation is clipped well back.

“With that wind we will see the power lines swinging and the potential for those arcing,” he said.

Bobby said the local community tends to be very conscious of fire danger and proactively monitors risks and calls in any issues.

Residents should visit the Check It’s Alright website to access resources to help ensure they are prepared this summer.

Visit Check It’s Alright.

PHOTO: Wānaka App