Tinder dry conditions and the extreme fire risk are hampering forestry logging operations in New Zealand. Source: Radio New Zealand
Forest Industry Contractors Association chief executive John Stulen said that among other things, they are restricted in when they can operate.
Stulen said a lot of crews are starting much earlier so they are finishing earlier and knocking off during the driest part of the day.
He says they are also much more vigilant about fire risk. Fire suppression systems have become common in harvesters, operators are inspecting more frequently to make sure dry forest debris is not building up and more maintenance is being done.
“The lack of wind has probably been a blessing this summer; windy conditions make for treacherous harvesting and we’ve been very lucky in that regard,” he said.
Stulen said that despite the constraints caused by the drought conditions forestry has still been able to keep up with booming demand for logs in Asian markets, especially China where New Zealand is becoming the biggest supplier.
