A fire brigade call-out to a permitted fire last Thursday morning has prompted a reminder from Bay of Plenty Fire and Emergency New Zealand to take care as summer approaches.

The Ōpōtiki brigade was called out to a grass fire at the Ōhiwa Beach Road, pictured, but chief fire officer Rowan Newell said they were advised it was a permitted fire while en route.

“The man was doing everything right; it’s not often we see that,” he said.

“He even had a drone up.”

However, with dry windy weather forecast for November, Bay of Plenty FENZ risk reduction adviser Paul Hunter is urging caution.

Mr Hunter said after a damp late winter and early spring, there had been great grass growth across the Ōpōtiki district.

“This past week has seen some strong winds and drier conditions, this has shown in drier soils and grasses starting to seed,” he said.

More of the same conditions are forecast for the rest of the month.

“This will mean potential fire fuels of grasses, scrub and smaller slash material will be drying and could potentially spread fire fast.”

An open fire season is now in place with no permits required.

“However, if you are lighting any fire please be aware of the fact that your fire could quickly get out of control and cause unwanted damage.”

Don’t light fire when it’s windy or forecast to be windy; ensure all flammable materials are at least 10 metres from the fire pile, including kikuyu grass; and have a water source available close by to control the fire.

This advice should also be followed when lighting fireworks and Mr Hunter said people should know their firework would land safely and not start a fire.

“Remember that our fire brigades in Ōpōtiki and Waihau Bay are volunteers, and it is their valuable time that is taken when a fire gets out of control.”

As summer approaches, anyone considering lighting a fire should check the FENZ website checkitsalright.nz beforehand.