Notice on change of fire season

From Auckland Council:

Change to fire season begins

Auckland Rural Fire today announced the fire season will officially change from restricted to open, meaning fire permits are no longer required for fires lit outdoors on private land within the rural fire area.

The open fire season applies across the entire Auckland region. However, all the populated Hauraki Gulf Islands (Great Barrier, Waiheke, Kawau, Rakino and Ponui Islands) will change to a restricted fire season. All the remaining conservation Hauraki Gulf Islands will remain in a prohibited fire season.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Bryan Cartelle commends Aucklanders for taking extra precautions during another hot, dry summer.

“Even though some restrictions have been lifted, fires should be managed responsibly during an open fire season. If you wish to light an open fire in a rural area, you should to locate it well away from trees, long grass and any structures, and keep fires at a manageable size.”

During an open fire season, complying fires must:

• be used in a safe and considerate manner
• be of a size that burns out during daylight hours
• not be a land clearing fire
• have no green vegetation included
• have no rubber or plastic items or toxic materials included
• have no treated timber or building waste included.

If you are burning standing vegetation larger than half a hectare, clearing forestry waste or lighting multiple large fires, you will need a burn plan – contact the Rural Fire Team.

For information on fire safety and tips for the safe lighting of open air fires call Auckland Council on 09 301 0101 or visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ruralfire.

The open fire season starts effectively immediately until further notice.

——————

Background:

• Open fire – You do not need a fire permit for open air fires in rural areas. You must light a fire in a considerate manner that does not cause a nuisance to neighbours.
• Restricted fire – During the restricted fire season, you need a fire permit to light any fire in the open air.
• Prohibited fire – No fire may be lit in the open air. The only exception is if it is authorised by the Principal or Deputy Rural Fire Officer.

To find out if there are any fire restrictions in your area, enter your address at http://www.aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/EN/licencesregulations/ruralfire/Pages/ruralfireaddresssearch.aspx

——————