Fire Seasons

There are three fire seasons you should be aware of:

• Open fire season—means no fire permit is needed to light a fire in the open air.
• Restricted fire season—means a fire permit from the relevant fire authority is required to light a fire in the open air.
• Prohibited fire season—means a total fire ban and lighting of fires is not permitted in the open air.

Changes to fire seasons are notified in the Ruapehu District by radio announcements and newspaper advertisements.  Information is also available directly from the Ruapehu District Council, and local fire authorities.

When Restricted or Prohibited fire seasons are in place, signs will also be erected within the affected area notifying you of the fire season.

When do I need a fire permit?

You will need a fire permit during a Restricted fire season.  Failure to obtain a permit is an offence under the Forest & Rural Fires Act 1977.

Where can I get a fire permit?

Application for Permit to Burn forms are available from all Ruapehu District Council offices.  (This does not constitute a fire permit.)

Your application will then be assessed by the Principal Rural Fire Officer, who will decide if it is safe to issue the permit.  This will entail a site visit to the proposed burn site.

Please allow a minimum of five working days for the processing of a permit.

A permit does not absolve you of responsibility!

Escaped fires have cost persons responsible for lighting them from $1,000 to $250,000 in fire fighting costs.

It is your responsibility to ensure the fire is not left unsupervised while burning, and is completely extinguished before leaving the burn site.

For all campfires, cooking fires, braziers, rubbish fires, controlled burns, and prescribed burns, a minimum of three metres clearance must be made surrounding the fire.

Tips When Lighting Fires In the Open Air

• Fuel - Plan to light stumps and heavy fuels at the end of summer because they can burn and smoulder for weeks.
• Permits - Always obey permit conditions.
• Fire Breaks - Clear at least 3 metres around the area to be burned to stop the fire spreading. Large fires require wider fire breaks - seek advice!
• Notification - Notify neighbours and your local fire authority on the day you are undertaking large fires to avoid confusion from visible smoke.
• Environmental - Check with Council for any smoke emission or other constraints or requirements under the Resource Management Act 1991.
• Smoke - Ensure smoke from your fire does not create a nuisance or smoke hazard to others.
• Weather - Before lighting up, check the long range weather forecast (48 hour), and ensure light winds are forecast.  Windy conditions spell trouble!
• Supervision - Fires often escape when no one is present.  Fuel can smoulder for long periods.  Supervise and patrol your fire until it is out.
• Be Prepared - Fires do escape!  Have firefighting equipment and a good water supply handy.

If you wish to light a fire in the open air ...

• Know the current fire danger and the fire season operating in your area by contacting your local Rural Fire Authority.
• Rural Fire Authorities are:
  • Department of Conservation—for state areas (and within 1km of state areas)
  • NZ Defence Force—for most of its own lands.
  • Rural Fire District Committee—for specially Gazetted areas.
  • Territorial Authorities—for all areas that fall outside the above.
• If in doubt ring the Ruapehu District Council or the Department of Conservation.

Your Rural Fire Authority will:

• Offer sound advice on the current fire danger and fire season.
• Inspect prospective sites to burn in Restricted fire seasons.
• Issue fire permits that will set out sound conditions for you to undertake the lighting of your fire safely.
• Assist you to prepare a prescribed burn plan for significant fires.

Urban Fire Districts

If you wish to light a fire in an urban fire district (in town), contact your local territorial authority to find out what rules apply.

Report any wild fires by ringing 111 immediately.

LInks

• Rural Fire Permit Application Form.
• NZ Rural Fire Authority website.
• NZ Civil Defence website