Metservice has lifted Strong Wind Watches for Central Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District.
The Watch for Central Hawke’s Bay was initially in place until midmorning today, with Tararua District until 4am, however Metservice says winds have eased in both districts, meaning the Watches can be lifted.
Tararua District Council has lifted the boil water notice for Woodville. A possum found in the town’s water supply last week prompted the issuing of the notice.
The Council said three days of clear test results were needed before the notice could be lifted. Testing from Friday and Saturday both come back clear, with Sunday’s results, which were received this morning, also came back clear.
Parts of Hawke’s Bay and Tararua District will move to a Restricted Fire Season this morning, with some parts of Tararua District to a Prohibited Fire Season.
With high temperatures over recent days, Fire & Emergency NZ says rapidly drying conditions mean vegetation fires will start more easily.
East Tararua is moving to a Prohibited Fire Season from this morning, meaning no open-air fires can be lit.
For South, West and Central Tararua, along with other areas including Pahiatua, Eketahuna, and the Hawke’s Bay coast, will move to a Restricted Fire Season.
A restricted season means people intending to light a fire in the outdoors must obtain a permit from Fire and Emergency NZ. Fire and Emergency Hawke’s Bay community risk manager, Nigel Hall, says current conditions mean vegetation fires will spread more rapidly and be more difficult to control.
He encourages people to check the fire risk daily on the website www.checkitsalright.nz. Permit applications can also be made on the Check It’s Alright site.