Firemen praise ban support

A local fire authority is praising the Rotorua public for their support during a month-long fire ban.

Pumicelands Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Paul Wright said there had been no major blazes in the area since a ban was put in place at the start of the month.

"We rely on the support of the public in reporting fires. We have received a great response, keep up the great work," he said.

Mr Wright said that with no serious rainfall expected until at least the end of the month the public should continue to call 111 with any sightings of suspicious smoke. "We would prefer to have a false alarm, rather than wait and wait until there is a fire that takes a day or two to get under control."

He said the fire ban was now across the entire Central North Island.

Mr Wright said the only fires which people could gain permits for, during the ban, were for the odd hangi or burning of diseased animals.