The Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority has lifted the restricted fire season.

The season, which typically runs from 1 October until 30 April, requires a permit from the Rural Fire Authority to light a fire in the open.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Barry Low says that despite some 3,500 fire permits being issued, there were only a handful of escaped or out of control vegetation fires.

“It’s a tribute to rural property owners, contractors, and others, that these incidences were kept to a minimum, particularly when many parts of the Fire District were close to drought condition,” says Barry.  “From our perspective this result indicates that the messages we are putting out to the community regarding safe burning are generally being listened to.”

Although fire restrictions have been lifted in most parts of the Fire District, property owners lighting fires as part of farming activity or for household rubbish disposal are still required to do so responsibly and adhere to basic common sense practises. 

“This approach is all about making sure the fire is lit in a safe place, well away from hedges, shelterbelts, buildings, power lines, and property boundaries,” say Barry.  “Don’t burn green vegetation, waste oils, plastics, foam products, or synthetics, always keep fires to a manageable size and do not leave any fire unattended.”

Barry also suggests that the quieter winter months are a good time for farmers to review their insurances. 

“Dealing to an out of control vegetation fire can be a very expensive exercise, and insurance cover appeared to be lacking in a couple of the fires we attended over the summer.  Permit or no permit, the person responsible for a fire may be held liable for the costs of extinguishing it and for any damage caused, so it’s worthwhile to check with insurers as to the extent of cover.

Barry says Matakana and Rangiwaea Islands remain under year-round restrictions, and Island residents must still apply for permits.

Frequently asked questions:

Q) What are the fire seasons?

A) There are three fire seasons:

Open fire season – no permit is needed to light a fire in the open.
Restricted fire season – a permit from the Rural Fire Authority is required to light a fire in the open.
Prohibited fires season – lighting of fire is not permitted in the open air.

Q) Does a fire permit absolve holders from responsibility for a fire should it get out of control?

A) No. The person who lights a fire is always responsible for it whether they have a permit or not.  However, failure to obtain a permit or proper authorisation is an offence against the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 and could result in conviction.