A deliberately lit rubbish fire in Springfield Road, Puketapu burnt through part of the new cycleway fencing wiped out in Cyclone Gabrielle.

Frustrated Puketapu residents fed up with ongoing fly-tipping in the area say the offenders are taking it to another, far more dangerous level by setting their rubbish on fire.

There were eight deliberately lit fires across Hawke’s Bay in November.

Four of them were on one road – Springfield Rd in Puketapu.

The latest, on November 30, spread to wooden fence railings along the newly installed cycleway, which was wiped out by Cyclone Gabrielle.

Heather Symons, whose family has lived on Springfield Rd for generations, says the road, which is on the way to Redclyffe Transfer Station, has always been a hot spot for people to dump their rubbish.

“But now people are burning it. I don’t know if that’s so no one can identify them, but the problem is just getting worse and it’s a huge worry,” Symons said.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand Hawke’s Bay community risk manager Nigel Hall said fire crews were called to fires on Springfield Rd twice on November 30.

A Springfield Rd resident said people had been dumping rubbish in the area for 25 to 30 years, but it had escalated in the last two or three years.

Fire crews also attended two rubbish fires, one on November 18 and another on November 9, involving carpets and household rubbish.

The fourth fire for the month on the same road was a vegetation fire at Otatara Pā Historic Reserve, on November 23. All were deliberately lit.

“As summer progresses and fire danger increases, these seemingly small fires could have devastating consequences if they spread into surrounding vegetation or property before crews arrive,” Hall said.

Symons said people had been dumping rubbish in the area for 25 to 30 years, but in the last two or three years it had escalated.

“It seems to be on a different scale now. People dump a lot of green waste, all down the road in different spots, and rubbish from full trailer-loads to bags or a boot-load.”

Another resident who lives further down the road nearer the dump, Chris Marwick, said he was constantly ringing Napier City Council to get the rubbish taken away.

“I have asked for surveillance cameras to be installed, but to no avail,” Marwick said.

He said the council did put a fence up at the entrance to the old dump, but it was smashed down as people continued to dump their rubbish.

The council fixed the damage and installed bollards in front of it.

Marwick said people dumped their stuff because they didn’t want to pay the fees, or the dump was closed.

“But now they have the gall to start burning it.

“Contractors are out here at least once a week picking up rubbish. Recently, less than 24 hours after they left, someone dumped a top-loading washing machine.”

While there is a charge to leave fridges and freezers at the dump, washing machines are free.

Hall said Fire and Emergency was urging the Hawke’s Bay community to take extra care, as much of the fire zone known as the Hawke’s Bay District remained in a restricted fire season.

“This means fire permits are required for any outdoor burning within the zones that are in a restricted season,” he said.

“Lighting fires without a permit is not only illegal but can lead to dangerous situations where fires escape and become uncontrollable.”

Hall said temperatures were forecast to stay high and dry conditions would persist.

“These factors significantly increase the risk of fire spread and make extinguishing fires more difficult.

“While crews are responding to nuisance fires, our resources for more serious incidents are stretched, which could impact our ability to respond quickly to larger emergencies.”

Napier City Council said transfer station fees were reviewed annually and take into consideration the disposal costs at the landfill, the logistics and transportation costs associated with waste haulage and operational and maintenance costs to keep the site operational.

The council said it had 22 requests concerning dumped rubbish or illegal dumping in Springfield Road so far this year.

Other deliberately lit fires in November

November 23, 8.26pm: Outside rubbish bin/skip fire, Maraenui.

November 27, 1.49am: Truck fire, Pākōwhai Road, Pākōwhai.

November 29, 10.54pm: Vegetation fire, Rangitane Road, Whakatū.

November 29, 11.07pm: Outside rubbish bin/skip fire, Conway Street, Mayfair.

Fire and Emergency urges everyone to:

• Apply for a fire permit before lighting any outdoor fire if you are in a restricted fire season.
• If you have a permit or are in an open fire season, avoid burning during hot, dry, or windy conditions.
• Report suspicious fire activity immediately by calling 111.

For more information or to apply for a permit, visit www.checkitsalright.nz.

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.