The Queenstown Lakes District Council will close Mount Iron Reserve in Wānaka tomorrow from noon until 6am on Monday due to extreme risk of wildfire. Residents and visitors are asked to avoid the reserve between these times, the council said in a statement yesterday.
The planned closure follows fire indices reaching levels which trigger a closure, as outlined in the council’s wildfire reserve closure plan and brought on by an extended spell of hot and dry weather and high temperatures forecast for the coming days.
Council community services general manager Ken Bailey said although the country was moving into autumn, fire indices meant closing Mount Iron Reserve was the most appropriate step to ensure public safety and reduce the fire risk.
Council parks manager Dave Winterburn confirmed the weather was forecast to be more extreme in the afternoons as temperatures rise throughout the day.
Fire Emergency NZ Otago community risk manager James Knapp said it was providing expertise and guidance to QLDC in determining how wildfire risk on Mount Iron Reserve should be managed.
During the reserve closure, access to Mount Iron Reserve is limited to the easily accessible trails around the base of the reserve. — APL
