\u201cThese conditions are what we call a perfect storm for wildfire risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
People caused 97% of wildfires in Aotearoa, he said.<\/p>\n
Pyatt urged people not to light outdoor fires, and to put off activities that could generate sparks, like mowing the lawn and using power tools.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn these conditions, all it takes is one spark or ember to start a wildfire that will get out of control quickly and be very difficult for our crews to control.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency wildfire manager Tim Mitchell said there had been an increase in wildfires, as well as fires in more remote places.<\/p>\n
Climate change was causing hotter, drier and more variable conditions, he said.<\/p>\n
Wellington enjoyed a fine and sunny day on Thursday. Photo \/ Mark Papalii, RNZ<\/p>\n
Other factors,, including housing sprawl into more rural areas, the increasing use of lithium ion batteries, more powerful vehicles that allow access to remote areas and technologies such as catalytic converters that mean cars run at higher temperatures are also adding to increased fire risk.<\/p>\n
He said drivers needed to be cautious of hot exhaust pipes and undersides of cars when driving over grass.<\/p>\n
\u201cKiwis really enjoy getting out into the natural environment … their tools, whether it be an electric bike or a 4WD vehicle, that can take them to more remote locations might be a reason we\u2019re seeing more fires in places we haven\u2019t necessarily seen before.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s thought a fire in the Whang\u0101rei Hospital carpark late last year that damaged dozens of cars was caused by a hot exhaust starting a vegetation fire.<\/p>\n
Catalytic converters can heat up to hundreds of degrees.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs carbon builds up in the exhaust system, to help with energy efficiency and environmental standards, vehicles do what\u2019s called a burn-out process, where it burns any carbon deposit built up in the exhaust so the systems are operating to maximum performance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen it does that the temperatures in the exhaust systems raise quite a lot. If that\u2019s done at the same time as the person is driving over dry vegetation, those high temperatures contribute to sources for ignition,\u201d Mitchell said.<\/p>\n
He said cool and at times rainy conditions for parts of the country over Christmas may have lulled some into a false sense of security, and, while it meant Canterbury was not as dry as it can be, the high temperatures, winds and relative humidity were enough to push the fire danger in eastern areas of the South Island into extreme.<\/p>\n
Paid firefighters are due to strike for an hour from 12pm-1pm on Friday, amid ongoing negotiations over pay and conditions between the Professional Firefighters\u2019 Union and Fire and Emergency NZ.<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency urged caution, highlighting increased wildfire risk and advising against activities that could spark fires. Photo \/ Mike Scott<\/p>\n
Fire and Emergency asked the union to call it off given heightened fire risks<\/a> and the fact both parties are due to meet for facilitation later this month.<\/p>\n But the union\u2019s national secretary, Wattie Watson, said the strike would go ahead.<\/p>\n