With the drier summer months approaching, restrictions on fires in rural areas of Rodney District will be introduced from next week. From 1 December until 31 March 2009, anyone who lights a fire in a rural area will need a permit as a Restricted Fire Season will be in place.
Rodney District Council issues fire permits free of charge. As it can take up to seven days for a permit to be issued from the date an application is lodged it’s important to apply early for a permit.
Once an application has been made, an officer visits the property to inspect the site of the fire and make sure that it is safe to burn. In some cases fire breaks or other safety measures are needed to prevent the fire from spreading.
Council’s Team Leader: Emergency Services, Scott Marchant, says it is important that people approach the Council to get a fire permit if they want to burn in rural areas over the restricted period. “During summer fires can easily get out of control in hot, dry, windy conditions.”
“People should be aware that if they light a fire without the proper authority they could be facing a significant bill to cover the cost of Fire Services staff attending the fire.”
“Responsibility for fires in rural areas is quite different from urban areas. People can be held personally liable for the costs associated with a fire on rural land if they are found to be responsible for causing it,” he explains.
“The costs of fighting fires in rural areas passed on to the individuals responsible have run from $10,000 to more than $250,000.”
In all urban areas, regional Clean Air rules mean that burning is not permitted at any time of the year.
Barbeques and hangis will continue to be allowed in summer without a permit.
The restricted fire season will remain in place until 31 March 2009, and can be extended, or a prohibited fire season can be introduced, depending on weather conditions.
For more information about fire restrictions see www.rodney.govt.nz.
For further information and comment please contact:
Paul Green
Rodney District Council
Phone 0800 426 5169
paul.green@rodney.govt.nz