Every year on 5 November, colourful fireworks light up the skies across New Zealand for Guy Fawkes Night. But this year, warm and windy weather might make celebrations a little more dangerous, especially in cities like Wellington and Christchurch.
Guy Fawkes Night began in England over 400 years ago. In 1605, a man named Guy Fawkes was caught trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament in London. He and a group of others planned to kill the king using barrels of gunpowder. Luckily, the plan failed, and Fawkes was captured. People in England celebrated the king’s safety by lighting bonfires – and that tradition has continued ever since.
Today, the event is marked with fireworks, sparklers, and sometimes big public displays. In New Zealand, even though it isn’t a public holiday, many families celebrate by setting off fireworks in their backyards.
However, this year’s weather may cause problems. Meteorologists say that warm, dry, and windy conditions could increase the risk of fires. In Christchurch and Wellington, winds are expected to pick up during the afternoon, though they may calm down by the evening. Even so, strong winds can make it harder to control fireworks safely.
Katie Hillyer from MetService warned that dry grasses could catch fire easily. She advised people to follow Fire and Emergency NZ’s safety tips and to be extra cautious when using fireworks.
