Key Takeaways
- Temperatures in Hawke’s Bay are expected to rise, potentially breaking records for January and possibly all-time records.
- The forecast conditions create a high fire risk, with fires able to start easily and grow rapidly.
- Authorities are urging people to minimize or postpone spark- or heat-generating activities and to take precautions to prevent fires.
- Water restrictions are in place to protect the water supply and reduce pressure on the system.
- Motorists are advised to drive to the conditions, slow down, and follow traffic management signs to minimize damage to the roads.
Introduction to the Heatwave
The predicted heatwave in Hawke’s Bay has started to materialize, with MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane stating that the forecast peak temperature has risen as more information becomes available. The temperatures could be higher than forecast, with the possibility of record temperatures, at least for January and possibly for all records. The recognized hottest day in New Zealand in about 115 years of records was January 7, 1973, when 42.4C was recorded at Rangiora, and 39.2C at Ruatoria is recognized as the hottest in the North Island.
Fire Risk and Precautions
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hawke’s Bay district manager Tony Kelly said the forecast conditions are a dangerous combination, creating spike fire-risk days. On these days, fires can start easily, grow rapidly, and become extremely difficult for crews to control. Crews have been briefed and are prepared to respond quickly and effectively, with moves taken to make all resources available, including helicopters on standby. Most of Hawke’s Bay is already in a prohibited or restricted fire season, and all fire permits across the district are being suspended. Authorities are urging people to minimize or postpone any spark- or heat-generating activities, such as using power tools and mowing the lawn, and to check any burn piles less than two months old and ensure they are fully extinguished.
Impact on Daily Life and Work
Some activities, such as sheep shearing, cannot be put on hold, with Flaxmere contractor Colin Watson Paul of Shearing NZ saying "we’ve got to keep going". He was expecting to have three crews working in Central Hawke’s Bay on Sunday. Most modern woolsheds are well ventilated, but many shearers have been working in older tin sheds with temperatures of 45C or more. Federated Farmers Hawke’s Bay president Jim Galloway says contractors are aware of the risks posed by sparks from machinery during harvesting in paddocks. Workplace health and safety agency WorkSafe has issued guidelines for people working in hot weather, stating that working in extremely hot environments can put workers’ bodies under stress.
Water Restrictions and Road Safety
Water restrictions are now widespread across Hawke’s Bay, with the fire risk amplifying the need to make sure there are water resources if fires do start. A Hastings City Council spokesperson said the restrictions play an important role in protecting the water supply and reducing pressure on the system. National highways agency NZTA Waka Kotahi Hawke’s Bay and Tairawhiti system manager Martin Colditz said crews are actively checking the state highways for signs of ‘bleeding’, water carts are on standby to spray water on hot spots, and sealing chips are being spread on affected areas to protect the road surface and improve traction. He appealed to motorists to drive to the conditions, slow down, and follow the traffic management signs, respecting speed limits to minimize damage to the roads and prevent further issues.
Historical Context and Comparison
Today’s temperatures in Hawke’s Bay are expected to be the hottest since, and possibly hotter than, those in the summer of 2019-2020, when 30 people were killed in Australian bushfires and Hawke’s Bay had its own big blaze at Tangoio. Doug Laing, a journalist since 1973, the year New Zealand had its hottest temperatures of the last century, has worked in Hawke’s Bay for more than 40 years and has seen the region experience extreme weather conditions before. The current heatwave is a reminder of the importance of taking precautions to prevent fires and protect the community.
