17 December 2012

Restricted fire season begins

A restricted fire season will apply from midnight Monday 17 December 2012 within the Rural Fire Areas controlled by the Palmerston North City Council and all Department of Conservation land that borders this authority.

Deputy principal rural fire officer, Graeme McIntyre said that the fire risk is growing as the weather gets hotter.

“We are now getting regular call-outs to attend fires and NIWA has forecast a drier than usual Christmas and New Year period.”

Permits will now be required for all fires in the open air except for:

· barbecues in properly constructed containers and fuelled with gas or liquid fuel

· cooking fires lit within approved concrete or stone surrounds and with not less than three meters of ground surrounding the container cleared of all combustible material.

No fires should be lit:

· when high or gusty winds are prevailing

· if the smoke is going to cause a nuisance to persons or surrounding property

· if the person lighting the fire cannot remain in attendance until the fire is fully extinguished.

The restriction means permits are now required for the use of braziers and chimineas.

Residents should note that the restriction will remain in place until further notice.

All enquiries and permit requests should be made to Palmerston North City Council by calling 356 8199.

Permits will only be issued during normal office hours after allowing sufficient time for any investigation and/or inspection to be made by a Rural Fire Officer.

For all emergencies call 111 and give your name and address, telephone number and rural number if applicable.

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