Fireworks

While the country partied hard to welcome the new year, Fire and Emergency worked tirelessly to tackle numerous fires started from fireworks.

In Mārahau near Nelson, two homes were evacuated with firefighters battling a vegetation fire in difficult terrain. Fire trucks were dispatched to the remote Skippers reserve, but crews could not reach the site because of weight restrictions on the only access road. There was also a fire at an old school site, a scrub fire that almost reached people’s homes, fires in sand dunes at local beaches - all of which were reportedly caused by fireworks.

31 December Firefighters have been busy responding to fires started by fireworks across the country since about 10.30pm on New Year's Eve.

- At Aramoana near Dunedin, a fire is burning on a cliff face, reported to be about the size of a football field, and growing. - a large blaze at Dalefield near Arrowtown, reported to have been started by fireworks and involving three separate fires burning in tussock on steep terrain. Nine crews were working on the fire at 2.30am

Fires are still burning in Tasman, Otago and Auckland on New Years Day, after a night of fires around the country, many caused by fireworks and bonfires.

FENZ said the most serious northern incident was a scrub fire started by fireworks at Mahurangi East. One was on the roof of the civic administration building and another was where seats in Edwards Pit park were on fire. Fire crews had knocked out hotspots and were monitoring the situation on Sunday morning, Fenz said. “Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time. There was eight crews dealing with a large blaze at Puhoi at 1:30am. The blaze was controlled and there were no fire crews at Puhoi later on Sunday morning. Both were reportedly caused by fireworks. Reports had tailed off in the early hours on New Year’s Day, but at 2am there were still seven responses related to New Year’s Eve activities under way. Helicopters were brought in to help control fires in Marahau in the Tasman District and Aramoana, Otago early Sunday morning. Many campers reportedly left the area due to the fire. It was reported to be about the size of a football field, and growing. As of 2:30am the fire had been contained to an estimated 1.2ha, with firefighters working to reinforce the perimeter.

The smoke and loud noise from the explosions scare the birds nesting in the trees. They flee in flocks, but wherever they fly, there are fireworks. When they ...

If that isn't possible, foregoing fireworks and lanterns are not likely to make a big difference to our enjoyment, as celebrations are about the people and the mindset that we celebrate with. Additionally, the smog and the sulphur dioxide emitted from firework explosions add to the negatives. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated regions in the world. Eventually, many of them are stunned to death in mid-air and drop to the ground. Animals may also suffocate or be poisoned if they ingest the remains of fireworks and other explosives. It's a safe distance away, and the sight of explosions in the sky is deceptively pretty.

Fire and Emergency NZ said the number and scale of incidents overnight reinforce fireworks pose a high fire risk and must be used responsibly.

If the conditions aren't right, then don't light." "Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time. "It was really loud; we could hear the trees cracking and popping. There was also a fire on the roof of a Palmerston North building, and seats were "ablaze" in a park, both reportedly caused by fireworks. In Auckland's Kelston, there was a fire close to a house, reportedly caused by fireworks. This included a vegetation fire in "difficult terrain" at Marahau in the Tasman District, which forced some houses to be evacuated.

Fires are still burning in Tasman, Otago and Auckland on New Years Day, after a night of fires around the country, many caused by fireworks and bonfires.

FENZ said the most serious northern incident was a scrub fire started by fireworks at Mahurangi East. One was on the roof of the civic administration building and another was where seats in Edwards Pit park were on fire. Fire crews had knocked out hotspots and were monitoring the situation on Sunday morning, Fenz said. “Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time. There was eight crews dealing with a large blaze at Puhoi at 1:30am. The blaze was controlled and there were no fire crews at Puhoi later on Sunday morning. Both were reportedly caused by fireworks. Reports had tailed off in the early hours on New Year’s Day, but at 2am there were still seven responses related to New Year’s Eve activities under way. Helicopters were brought in to help control fires in Marahau in the Tasman District and Aramoana, Otago early Sunday morning. Many campers reportedly left the area due to the fire. It was reported to be about the size of a football field, and growing. As of 2:30am the fire had been contained to an estimated 1.2ha, with firefighters working to reinforce the perimeter.

Firefighters are still fighting fires in Tasman, Otago and Auckland. Two homes have been evacuated in Marahau in the Tasman District and firefighters are ...

Overnight, Fire and Emergency NZ said the organisation's three communications centres fielded 111 calls regarding multiple incidents in the North and South ...

FENZ said the most serious northern incident was a scrub fire started by fireworks at Mahurangi East. One was on the roof of the civic administration building and another was where seats in Edwards Pit park were on fire. Fire crews had knocked out hotspots and were monitoring the situation on Sunday morning, Fenz said. “Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time. There was eight crews dealing with a large blaze at Puhoi at 1:30am. The blaze was controlled and there were no fire crews at Puhoi later on Sunday morning. Both were reportedly caused by fireworks. Reports had tailed off in the early hours on New Year’s Day, but at 2am there were still seven responses related to New Year’s Eve activities under way. Helicopters were brought in to help control fires in Marahau in the Tasman District and Aramoana, Otago early Sunday morning. Many campers reportedly left the area due to the fire. It was reported to be about the size of a football field, and growing. As of 2:30am the fire had been contained to an estimated 1.2ha, with firefighters working to reinforce the perimeter.

While the country partied hard to welcome the new year, firefighters tackled numerous blazes fires started by fireworks.

In Marahau near Nelson, two homes were evacuated as firefighters battled a vegetation fire in difficult terrain. Fire trucks were dispatched to the remote Skippers reserve, but crews could not reach the site because of weight restrictions on the only access road. Meanwhile, in Tauranga, three crews were called to deal with a fire in the roof of a house, reportedly ignited by fireworks - which also caused a fire close to a house in Kelston. As grass caught fire in New Plymouth and sand dunes burned away in Waitarere Beach, Horowhenua it was clear there was a pattern emerging - most ongoing fire incidents were caused by irresponsible firework use. In the North Island there were multiple incidents, the most serious of which being a scrub fire started by fireworks at Mahurangi East, where six crews worked away from 11pm to keep the blaze from reaching homes. There was also a fire at an old school site, a scrub fire that almost reached people’s homes, fires in sand dunes at local beaches - all of which were reportedly caused by fireworks.

Fireworks sparked blazes across the country over New Year's Eve. A controversial New Year's Eve fireworks display at an American millionaire's property is believed to have caused a large rural fire near Queenstown. Neighbours say the Dalefield fire was ...

“We are deeply grateful for the expert work of Fire Emergency New Zealand and the police,” she said. “We waited until 2.30am and then thought it was safe to go to sleep,” she said. The blaze involved three separate fires burning in tussock on steep terrain and came within 15m of a house on the property. “Hopefully it was just a one-off.” Malkin's company got clearance from the Overseas Investment Office to buy the $4.5 million property, [called Redemption Song](https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8080221/High-powered-pair-reach-agreement), in 2008. The fireworks went off at midnight.

Fire and Emergency received more than 40 calls on New Year's Eve, an increase on previous years.

- At Aramoana near Dunedin, a fire was burning on a cliff face, reported to be about the size of a football field, and growing. - A large blaze at Dalefield near Arrowtown, reported to have been started by fireworks and involving three separate fires burning in tussock on steep terrain. Nine crews were working on the fire at 2.30am. Fire and Emergency said some campers managed to put it out and its staff intended checking it was fully extinguished. If the conditions aren't right, then don't light." "Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time.

A New York billionaire's controversial New Year's Eve pyrotechnic bonanza at his Central Otago retreat is believed to have caused a large rural fire.

Neighbour Daniela Schneider said she left the area with her horse at about 11.45pm and returned after the fireworks to discover the fire. We will happily consider any reasonable request from our immediate neighbours for financial assistance to move their livestock. "We are sorry for any inconvenience," it said. Malkin's company got clearance from the Overseas Investment Office to buy the $4.5 million (A$4.82 million) property, [called Redemption Song](https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8080221/High-powered-pair-reach-agreement), in 2008. "We are deeply grateful for the expert work of Fire Emergency New Zealand and the police," she said. Angry neighbours to the Dalefield property started a petition against the legal fireworks display due to concerns of the impact it would have on horses and other animals in the area.

Neighbours objected to the private fireworks display when they learnt of it before Christmas. Volunteer firefighters were there all night.

“We are deeply grateful for the expert work of Fire Emergency New Zealand and the police,” she said. *An earlier version of this story said WorkSafe had granted the fireworks display plan a compliance certificate. “We waited until 2.30am and then thought it was safe to go to sleep,” she said. Malkin's company got clearance from the Overseas Investment Office to buy the $4.5 million property, [called Redemption Song](https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8080221/High-powered-pair-reach-agreement), in 2008. Angry neighbours to the Dalefield property started a petition against the legal fireworks display due to concerns of the impact it would have on horses and other animals in the area. [Tony Malkin](https://www.stuff.co.nz/southland-times/news/8080221/High-powered-pair-reach-agreement) (the trust owns the Empire State Building).

A controversial New Year's Eve fireworks display at the billionaire owner of New York's Empire State Building's property outside Queenstown is understood t.

and it just seemed ludicrous to have a commercial-based fireworks display in a rural area. It just seems to fly in the face of logic with stock and the fire risk,” said the neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous. They were bulging out of his head,” she said. In a statement to the ODT before the event, the property owners said they had “deep and long-lived social and charitable connections” in the area. A spokeswoman for the Malkin family said, when contacted by the Otago Daily Times this morning, that “we are deeply grateful for the expert work of Fire Emergency New Zealand and the police.’’ Fire and Emergency New Zealand had approved a safety plan for the private display, and neighbours had been advised to speak to the Ministry for Primary Industries and the SPCA.

Empire State Realty Trust chairman, president and chief executive Tony Malkin of New York had upset neighbours of his Dalefield property with plans for an ...

“In this case, our staff reviewed the safety plan for the event and agreed to it. “Certification for pyrotechnic displays on private land is issued by an independent compliance certifier under the WorkSafe regime. and it just seemed ludicrous to have a commercial-based fireworks display in a rural area. It just seems to fly in the face of logic with stock and the fire risk,” said the neighbour, who wished to remain anonymous. In a statement to the ODT before the event, the property owners said they had “deep and long-lived social and charitable connections” in the area. They were bulging out of his head,” she said.

News from Fire and Emergency NZ Firefighters were called to fires started by fireworks from about 10.30pm on New Year's Eve.

“Fire and Emergency has been saying this for a long time. Nine crews were working on the fire at 2.30am. Communications Centre Shift Manager Murray Dunbar said the number and scale of incidents overnight reinforced that fireworks posed a high fire risk and had to be used responsibly and sensibly.