Rural fire season starts tomorrow

30 November 2012

Rural fire restrictions begin in the Waipa district tomorrow (December 1), meaning permits are required for all controlled, open air fires on rural land.

The rural fire season runs from December 1 to March 31 every year. Permits are administered by Waipa District Council, except for properties within a one kilometre radius of Department of Conservation (DoC) land, where a permit will be required from DoC as the Rural Fire Authority .

There is currently no charge for council issued permits, but charges may apply to cover costs such as travel and time for fires that require an inspection.

Permits are required all year in the Waipa district for urban fires, with the exemption of braziers, barbeques and cooking fires.

People should apply for permits at least two days before they are required, and even earlier if they are required over the Christmas and New Year period as council offices are closed from 5pm on Friday, December 21 to Thursday, January 3.

The district's Rural Fire Officer Chuck Davis said if weather conditions become extremely dry, the council may stop the issuing of permits and revoke existing permits until weather conditions become less risky.

The permit system is to ensure safe fires, however ultimate responsibility rests with the person who lights the fire. An escaped fire can be very expensive to extinguish, with

firefighters, fire appliances, tankers and occasionally even helicopters required.

Costs to extinguish a rural fire need to be recovered from the landowner. An un-permitted fire that escapes will most likely not be covered by insurance companies, Mr Davis said.

It was particularly important people were mindful not to light fires in windy conditions and to be mindful of neighbours and the possibility of smoke nuisance.

ENDS

For further information contact

Lisa Nairne

Senior Communications Advisor

Ph: 07 872 0062 or 027 532 1760

Email: lisa.nairne@waipadc.govt.nz