Fire and Emergency issue warnings following a dry season in the regionRobyn Edie/Stuff Senior firefighter Toby Pascoe, left, and rural support officer David Coveney at the Kingwell Fire Station in Invercargill. Fire and Emergency New Zealand are urging Southlanders to take care lighting fires this summer. Community and engagement co-ordinator Sally Chesterfield said this year had been dry compared with previous, especially in northern Southland, so extra precaution was needed. Firefighters had already been busy this season because the year was comparable to about March for its dryness, she said. In northern Southland, including Te Anau and Garston, it was especially dry and could be a danger, she said.

Source: Stuff December 24, 2017 03:51 UTC