• How prepared are we as a community or individual for the next manmade or natural disaster?
• Will you cope when disaster strikes?
• Be prepared ... disaster can strike at any time and often without warning.
• You and your family could be on your own for up to three days, maybe more.
• Know what you have to do before you have to do it.
• Outdoor fires, apart from gas barbeques and incinerators, may require a permit. This can be obtained by contacting your District Council. There are times, however, when no fires will be allowed - such as hot, dry summer periods when fire danger is extreme.
• During a restricted fire season, you will require a permit to light any fire in a rural area.
• It is recommended that you plan ahead if you wish to light a fire in a rural area, as permits can take up to five working days to process.
• Please don't ask for a "same day permit", as refusal may offend.
• Permits are free and can be otained by phone, or yu can submit a fire permit form by mail, email or fax. Please contact Customer Services at your nearest Council office.

LInks

• Rural Fire Permit Application Form.
• Guide to Lighting Fires and Permits Issued.
• NZ Rural Fire Authority website.
• NZ Civil Defence website

For the latest news on emergencies please visit www.civildefence.govt.nz