Media release

1 April 2016

Fire season changes for Auckland

Today (Friday 1 April) sees the fire season change for the Auckland Rural Fire District.

On the mainland the fire season has changed from ‘Restricted’ to ‘Open’. This means no fire permits are required for most open fires which include burning dry and seasoned vegetation. However if your fire is larger than 8mx8m or you have multiple burn piles you will require a permit or burn plan which we will assist you in developing.

For populated Hauraki Gulf islands (Great Barrier, Waiheke, Kawau, Ponui and Rakino) the season has changed from a ‘Prohibited’ into a ‘Restricted’ fire season. This means that all fires lit in the open air of the populated islands require a fire permit.

The conservation islands in the Hauraki Gulf remain in a Prohibited season (Total Fire Ban).

All complying fires must;

• be used in a safe and considerate manner.
•
• be lit and 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.
•
Councillor Sharon Stewart, Chair of Auckland Council’s Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee, says the rural fire management resources online are still relevant during an Open Fire season.

“Despite the change of seasons residents should still check the guidance around fire safety before lighting up. The address search on the Rural Fire pages is simple to use and can tell you in seconds whether you can have a fire. Relevant safety information and guidance is all there in one handy place.”

Principal Rural Fire Officer Bryan Cartelle commends Aucklanders for being responsible over the last four months:

“It has been great to see people lighting fires safely and following the advice from the Rural Fire officers.”

“We want people to continue to act responsibly during the Open Fire season. If you wish to light an open fire in a rural area you should to locate it well away from trees, scrubs, long grass and any structures and keep fires at a manageable size.”

“And remember, please check it’s alright before you light.”

Check out our change of fire season video on YouTube for more information.

For information on fire safety and tips for the safe lighting of open air fires visit the website aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/ruralfire and follow Auckland Rural Fire on Facebook

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