Hay, that’s a fire risk
Fire brigades are urging farmers to be wary of the fire risk posed by wet weather. Carterton Fire Brigade advised farmers to check on hay bale stocks after the recent severe flooding in Wairarapa. “Stored hay and bales that have been exposed to excess flooding or rainfall pose a risk of spontaneous combustion as they dry out.” The brigade said to mitigate the risks, hay bales should be dismantled and spread out – 3x3m being the recommended maximum size for stacks – isolate affected hay on hard fill away from buildings, monitor the damp hay regularly for heating or mould growth, dispose of hay properly, and call 111 if any excessive heating is detected.
Census day tomorrow
Tomorrow night is Census night. Census happens once every five years and everyone in New Zealand on Census day is required to fill out the form. This year, you will need to answer 21 questions about your dwelling, and everyone who lives with you will need to answer up to 54 individual questions. Deputy Government Statistician and deputy chief executive Census Simon Mason said the Census, other than voting, was the single biggest way of engaging with government. He said encouraged “people to participate in Census because if they’re not reflected in the data, then decisions will be made on their behalf without them”. Anyone who has not received their Census info can go to the Census website: https://www.census.govt.nz/ or call the helpline [0800 CENSUS] to request either an access code for the online Census or paper forms.
Busy with burnoffs
Fire brigades were kept busy at the weekend, with people taking advantage of the wet weather. Fire and Emergency said brigades responded to four controlled burns in the region on Saturday. A spokesperson said the Masterton and Carterton brigades, who attended two apiece, responded to reports of smoke in the area. In each event, the fire was either extinguished before arrival, or was determined to be under control and allowed to continue burning.
