Hey Mate! Don't light that fire!
There's a total fire ban on around the Waikato. The little rain we’ve had has evaporated and the ground, grass and bush are still tinder dry.
So how come a few people are ignoring the ban and burning hedge clippings, tree stumps or general clean-up rubbish? That's something that puzzles Paul Shaw, Principal Rural Fire Officer for the Waikato.
"The fire risk is extreme for most of the region, so when someone decides to burn off a heap of rubbish they are highly likely to set their surroundings alight,” he says.
“A lifestyle block owner in the Northern Waikato recently lit a fire that started off small but spread quickly and got out of control. Two Brigades has to turn out to what was an unnecessary, deliberately lit fire during the Total Fire Ban.”
Even a fire that appears safe can still cause unnecessary call-outs and serious logistical problems for the Fire Service.
“When members of the public see smoke they call 111, and we are obliged to send fire appliances and staff to investigate. Not only does that divert us from real emergencies it means that our staff and volunteers have to leave their safe Covid-19 ‘bubbles’ and risk a virus infection,” says Paul.
“We are doing our best to look after our personnel during the pandemic. We have stood down all over 70s, and many others have stood themselves down because they or members of their close families having underlying health issues. This has reduced the number of people we have available to respond.”
Paul emphasises that Fire and Emergency NZ will always be there to look after communities but right now they are asking the public to minimise the risk by not lighting any fires.
“We can’t afford to have our limited resources put in unnecessary danger because of fires lit by thoughtless people,” he says.
For further information contact Paul Shaw on 027 284 8636 or paul.shaw@fireandemergency.nz
🌉🛶 Early Birds Might Crack This One First… or Not? 🥚🧠
A person is crossing a bridge and sees a boat full of people, yet there isn't a single person on board.
How is this possible?
(Susan from Massey kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Susan!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
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Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
🪱🐦 When are you the most productive? 🌙🦉
The Post has been diving into our daily habits, and research suggests being an early bird or a night owl isn’t just a choice—it’s biology! We all have that specific time when our brains finally "click" into gear.
This raises a big question for the modern workplace. To get the best out of everyone, should employers accommodate our natural body clocks? This idea is at the heart of the four-day work week and flexible scheduling movements.
We want to hear from you:
1. When does your brain "click" into gear?
2. Would a flexible (or shortened) schedule change the way you work?
Poll: Have you noticed a change in fuel prices?
Waikato businesses and consumers are shrugging off volatile fuel prices - for now.
A barrel of Brent crude spiked to US$117 - the highest levels since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 - on Monday before diving on Tuesday morning (NZT) to about US$85 per barrel. Prices later recovered to US$90 a barrel.
Have you noticed a change in fuel prices? Tell us more in the comments (adding NFP if you don't want your words used in print).
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50% Yes
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50% No
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