Changing from El Niño to La Niña
Forecasters are suggesting we will move from El Niño to a La Niña weather pattern in spring 2024. As we move between the 2 weather patterns, winter 2024 is still likely to be dominated by westerlies, with irregular rainfall in many places.
As a result, in cold, dry inland areas, frosts will continue to dry out grasses and fine fuels like twigs and leaves. These fuels can help spread wildfires during late winter and early spring. This happened in Pukaki in August 2020 and Lake Ohau in September 2021. Winter does not mean no wildfires.
How wildfires start
Wildfires in rural areas can kill, injure, and cause huge economic losses. Most vegetation fires:
- start outside a forest
- are caused by someone’s actions – 98% of wildfires are caused by humans.
The main causes of wildfires are:
- burn offs
- rubbish fires
- bonfires and fireworks
- barbecues
- equipment like electric fences.
New to rural life?
If you're visiting a rural area or have bought a lifestyle block, take extra care by learning:
- what activities pose the greatest fire risks
- how fires can get out of control
- what equipment and plans you need to prevent a fire starting or spreading.
What you can do to prevent summer wildfires
Wildfires do not follow property boundaries. In the right conditions, embers can be blown up to 2km and start new fires.
If you live in, or visit, rural areas, check the fire weather and fire season status before you start any outdoor activities.
- Use the Fire and Emergency's 'Check it's alright' website to see how dry things are in your area and apply for a fire permit.
- Know where your local fire danger sign is – this tells you how dry the area is and if you need a permit to light a fire.
- Download the MetService app to get daily fire weather updates.
Check it's alright – Fire and Emergency NZ
New Zealand Drought Monitor –NIWA
Managing wildfire risks on your property
Wildfire is a risk to all landowners. If you have trees on your property, this wildfire risk reduction guide can help you identify risks.
Planning to avoid wildfire – managing wildfire risk on rural properties [PDF, 1.2 MB]
Advice and guidance to prevent summer wildfires
Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service works with Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the forestry sector, and the wider rural sector. Together, we develop and distribute fire prevention messaging, including on the Canopy website.
Manage fire risk and damage to your forest – Canopy
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency NZ is responsible for managing fires. Check its website for resources on:
- rural living
- preparing for summer
- fire permits
- burn plans.
Fire and Emergency NZ – farms, rural properties and rural businesses
Your local fire staff or brigade have programmes for community education and can:
- offer specific advice
- present to schools and community groups
- attend local events.
The Forest Owners Association
The Forest Owners Association provides risk management and information on preparing for the fire season in rural areas.
Fire prevention resources – Forest Owners Association
Science Learning Hub – Pokapu Akoranga Putaiao
The Science Learning Hub has an interactive tool about fires. It highlights the environmental factors of rural fires.
Rural fire risk – Science Learning Hub
Fires and animals
Animals, such as farm livestock, wildlife, and pets often get caught in wildfires. Staff from the Ministry for Primary Industries respond to many adverse events in the rural sector. They can provide advice and help, depending on the event.
Advice for livestock, lifestyle block, horse, and pet owners [PDF, 157 KB]
Who to contact
If you have questions about the information on this page, email info@mpi.govt.nz
