November 02, 2020
Firework risk forces maunga curfew
An overnight curfew has been placed on Auckland’s volcanic cones to reduce the risk of Guy Fawkes-related fires.
The Tūpuna Maunga Authority says last year there were fires on at Maungarei / Mt Wellington and Maungawhau / Mt Eden on Guy Fawkes night, and a blaze on Māngere Mountain in December caused by fireworks.
Last month youths playing with fireworks set fire to the lower slopes of Maungarei.
Gates to the maunga will be closed at 7.30pm each night until Sunday.
Authority chair Paul Majurey says trusting the public to follow the fireworks ban on the maunga hasn’t worked, and the fires are causing significant harm and straining on fire and emergency services.
The authority has endorsed a call by councils and animal welfare organisations for the Government to ban the private sale and use of fireworks.
Copyright © 2020, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com