Natural Events: Wildfire | Ahiniwha

Wildfires in New Zealand

Wildfire season in New Zealand is October to April. Meteorologists aren’t yet able to forecast wildfire outbreaks, but in Caterbury the risk of fire is increased with these factors:

• High temperatures

• Strong winds

• Dry vegetation

• Human activity (use of machinery/fire in risky areas)

Fires in the Port Hills are becoming more frequent because of these four things. Simple things like a car back-firing can spark off a wildfire, a cigarette thrown out a window etc. Normally these things wouldn't contribute to a natural disaster but the conditions that the land is in cause the fire to spread and keep burning for days.

Even when there are no flames, there are hot  spots under trees or in the ground which can spark whole new fires long after the flames have gone.

What are the effects on people and the environment?

In 2017, wildfires in the Port Hills burned off 1600 hectares of land that's about the same number of rugby fields. It destroyed nine homes and a firefighter lost his life. 

Wildfires also affect the environment. Wildfires can actually be helpful for some natural areas. They clear out old plants and help some trees, like Jack pines, release their seeds. However, wildfires can also heat up the planet. In forests like boreal forests, which store a lot of carbon, climate change is making things worse, and these changes are happening twice as fast as in other places.