Vehicle access to Muriwai Beach will close tomorrow in response to a total fire ban for Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand declared a prohibited fire season – the highest fire season setting – across Auckland on Friday, which is likely to remain in place until significant rainfall arrives to reduce the severe risk of fires spreading.
Parks Committee chair, Councillor Ken Turner said rural and forest areas were extremely dry, despite high humidity and occasional light rain.
This condition has created a significant risk of fire outbreaks, which won’t improve until we receive substantial soaking rain, he said.
“We have entered a period of heightened caution, and forecasts suggest it may be some time before this situation changes. We must do everything possible to prevent fires, especially in remote areas and exotic forest regions,” says Cr Turner.
Despite some showers being forecast this week in Auckland, NIWA and MetService are predicting little rain for the rest of March.
Regional Parks Manager, Scott De Silva says the need to stay vigilant to prevent fire outbreaks now has never been more important in remote regional park areas like Muriwai.
“This environment is particularly vulnerable as the ground around dunes and the nearby forest is sand-based – and exceptionally dry,” he said.
“We are increasingly concerned about the risk of an outbreak in the current conditions. We will be monitoring the situation carefully and taking advice from Fire and Emergency New Zealand. We’ll continue to keep Aucklanders informed of further updates.
“The vehicle closure at Muriwai Beach is temporary.”
Coast Road and Wilson Road will continue to provide beach access for pedestrians and horses. Signage will inform drivers there is currently no vehicle access and gates will be in place from 8am on Wednesday 19 March.
Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s recent fire ban brings an extreme fire watch right across the top of the North Island, including the regions of Northland and the Coromandel/Waikato.
The ban follows several uncontrolled fires in the Auckland region this summer that wreaked devastation to an area of bush near Te Henga Bethells Beach, at Long Bay and Anawhata Beach.
“We are urging people to take no risks anywhere in our regional parks network, until the current conditions change,” said Mr De Silva.
