Latest news with #gorse
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Our Changing World: Inside a fire lab
science environment 28 May 2025 New Zealand experiences more than 4,500 wildfires every year – and the risk of big, destructive wildfires is increasing with climate change. Ellen Rykers visits the fire lab at the University of Canterbury, a purpose-built facility for setting things on fire and studying how they burn. Researchers can burn couches or create fire tornadoes. But today, Ellen is with PhD researcher and firefighter Kate Melnick, who is researching gorse, a prickly shrub that is both common and flammable. We join Kate as she sets up a large gorse bush in the lab, ready to burn.
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Our Changing World: Wildfire science heats up
Follow Our Changing World on Apple , Spotify , iHeartRadio or wherever you listen to your podcasts As flames engulf the bush, a wave of heat washes over the onlookers and glowing ash showers the lab. High above, where the flames flicker at the ceiling, a giant rangehood sucks up all the smoke and funnels it into instruments that analyse gases. This bonfire isn't just for fun. It's for science. The fire engineering lab at the University of Canterbury is a special facility where scientists can set things on fire and study how they burn. The high-tech instruments collect data on the gases emitted, the amount of energy released, and the temperature of the flames. Five or six couches are burned here every year, part of an assignment for fire engineering students, says Dr Andres Valencia. This is because couches are a common household item with fabric and foam that can make them especially dangerous in a fire. They have also recreated smoke explosions and fire tornadoes in the lab. The latter are whirlwinds of hot air , flames and ash that are generated in big wildfires. On the burner today is a large clump of gorse, a prickly plant that has invaded large swathes of New Zealand's landscape. It's also quite prone to burning. PhD researcher and fire-fighter Kate Melnick collected this gorse from just outside Christchurch. She's investigating how all the different characteristics of the plant affect its flammability - for example, how much moisture it contains, and how fine its leaves and twigs are. Dr Andres Valencia, Kate Melnick and Fearghal Gill are investigating the science of wildfires at the University of Canterbury. Photo: Ellen Rykers / RNZ So far, she's discovered that dead gorse and live gorse burn very differently, even if they have the same moisture levels. "The live material actually burned more vigourously and at a higher intensity. But it took longer to ignite," she explains. "So if a fire were to spark, the dead material will probably ignite first. However, once the flame passes over to the live material, then you get even higher intensity." The ultimate aim is to enhance our ability to predict and prepare for wildfires. Kate's work contributes to a programme of fire research led by Andres that is investigating fire from all angles: from gorse to grass, to the effects of wind, to impacts on people and infrastructure. PhD researcher Kate Melnick at the University of Canterbury fire engineering lab, a purpose-built facility for setting things on fire and studying how they burn. Photo: Ellen Rykers / RNZ New Zealand experiences around 4500 wildfires every year - a number that has grown over the past two decades. In some places, the wildfire risk is increasing , as climate change leads to higher temperatures, stronger winds and lower rainfall. As urban areas expand, more people are shifting into wildfire-prone areas too. "If you compare the risk of wildfires in New Zealand with Australia or California or Canada, I will say it is low," says Andres. "However, what I think is happening right now is that we are seeing an increase of wildfires happening close to the cities. "So, our approach is more: we see the future and we think that we can prepare for it, rather than let's try to find solutions as it happens." Listen to the episode to learn more about the fire research underway and hear about Kate's experiences as a wildland fire-fighter in Canada. Sign up to the Our Changing World monthly newsletter for episode backstories, science analysis and more.
BBC News
20-05-2025
- Climate
- BBC News
Islanders urged to help reduce the risk of wildfires in Jersey
Islanders have been urged to avoid using barbecues in open wooded areas to help reduce the risk of wildfires in Fire and Rescue Service said the current risk of a major wildfire was "low", but warned dry and windy conditions could lead to a fire "growing rapidly into an incredibly significant blaze".Station commander Mark Bailey-Walker said: "We have lots of patches of gorse around Jersey which means these areas are especially at risk. Prevention is key and we are asking everyone to play their part."The service has asked islanders to avoid open flames, bonfires and discarding cigarette ends on the ground. It also warned against leaving a fire or barbecue unattended and to avoid leaving bottles of glass in the countryside, adding "sunlight on glass can start fires". Mr Bailey-Walker added: "Even when the likelihood of a major incident is low, the impact on our natural environment, wildlife and public safety can be significant."
RNZ News
13-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
Bluff gorse stoush: Ex-councillor hasn't paid council bill
Images supplied by the council show gorse on Arnold's section, and beyond. Photo: Supplied via LDR A former Invercargill councillor says she has not cleared her bill with the council after they removed gorse from her land more than two years ago. Karen Arnold has been embroiled in a battle with the organisation since 2022 when her section at Theodore Street, Bluff, began failing inspections due to overgrowth. A report prepared for a March hearing showed it had drawn three "request for service" complaints and failed eight of 10 inspections. But Arnold disputes the issue, saying compliance notices from council were unlawful and breached the New Zealand Bill of Rights. Arnold said she would not pay her share of a $5320 bill for council contractors clearing the section following an October 2022 bylaw notice, despite receiving monthly reminders. "They keep sending it out, I've ignored it." Invercargill City Council group manager consenting and environment Jonathan Shaw said a decision was made to split the cost 50/50 with Arnold when she met with council in January 2024. The section was also the subject of a council hearing in March where [ Arnold unsuccessfully appealed] a bylaw notice from December 2024. Although the panel accepted it was unhelpful that gorse existed on co-owned council land at the boundary of the property, removal still rested with the owner. "They say that it's got to be cleared again, and I'm not going to do it and so it's going to be the same thing," Arnold said. "They'll go and clear it and then they'll charge me." The section backs onto Bluff Hill/Motupōhue, which is co-owned by the council and Department of Conservation. Arnold claims the council conceded it had failed on a range of issues at a January 2024 meeting where the council's chief executive and lawyer were present. That included that two compliance notices in 2022 and one from 2023 were unlawful and breached the New Zealand Bill of Rights Act, that the council did not manage its gorse under the regional pest management plan until prompted, and that they had a conflict of interest in dealing with her concerns. In response to questions, Shaw said the council did not accept that gorse was not being managed on its land at Bluff Hill prior to Arnold's complaint. The cancellation of a December 2023 notice for procedural reasons did not mean the compliance problems raised in the original notice were invalid, Shaw said. Two councillors on the hearing panel declared conflicts of interest but felt it did not warrant them stepping aside, he added. "The council staff involved in the decision considered the issues raised by Ms Arnold on each occasion in a fair and balanced manner. "This included preparing for and attending the hearing, which Arnold chose to leave partway through." Arnold was elected to council in 2013 and 2016, but stood down near the end of her second term. She was declared bankrupt in 2018 after losing a defamation suit against Stuff and then-mayor Sir Tim Shadbolt, RNZ reported. LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.
