Ngāti Pukeko elder Julian Tunui wants the community to band together following a recent fire that took place near residents’ homes and the local marae.
Mr Tunui was on site when two fire engines responded to a blaze on Ranapia St, over the bridge from Poroporo School late last Friday.
Fire fighters managed to contain the blaze to avoid any further damage to buildings.
The blaze was treated as suspicious after pieces of paper where discovered which may have led to the fire. Fire fighters requested that Mr Tunui keep an eye out for any unusual behaviour in the area.
There was another blaze at a site on SH2 two weeks ago. Now Whakatāne fire fighters want a closed fire season.
Fire fighter, John Rewi says, “It's becoming extreme. Although councils are still issuing permits only for three days now, I would say probably till the end of the week it will be a closed fire season.”
While we are enjoying the warm summer weather, we must also heed the risk of fire.