Contractors were unable to work during the heat due to the risk of starting a fire, so completion of hazard reduction works has been slowed down.

However, private landholders are urged to take advantage of the cooler weather this week and complete their fire prevention works as soon as possible.

Over the past few weeks there have been a number of instances of people lighting up heaps and other heavy timber around the island.

“We have been alarmed by the number of occasions when fires have been lit and left unattended,” said KI CFS Group Officer Terry May.

“The danger in lighting up heaps at this stage of the season is that, if they are not managed properly and fully burnt out, they can smoulder for months, then rekindle in bad fire weather and sparks can escape and ignite grass or scrub nearby.

“Re-kindles are the second biggest cause of bushfires on the island after lightning,” Mr May said.

“Our message to the community at this stage of the season is to request that no fires are lit without CFS brigade attendance, as it is simply too dangerous for people to be burning.”

The grass fuel hazard on the island is the worst it has been for many years, due to the average winter and early spring rains.

Unfortunately livestock numbers are down, so animals have not kept up with pasture growth, and there has been excellent crop growth, providing dense and continuous crop and stubble fuel.

Together with remnant native vegetation, pasture and stubbles provide large areas of continuous fuel throughout rural areas of the island.

As harvesting season is about to start, farmers are asked to observe the Grain Harvesting Code of Practice, which requires that harvesting cease once the Grassland Fire Danger Index reaches 35.

“There have already been nine header fires on the mainland this harvest season,” Mr May said.

“It is very important that farmers observe the Code, ensure their equipment is well maintained before and during harvest, and that they have the required fire fighting capacity on hand while harvesting for first response purposes,” he said.