This page provides information on the permit requirements and
restrictions on the lighting of fires, in the Opotiki District
Council Rural Fire area.
A A fire permit is required to light a fire in the open air
Open air fires are managed by Opotiki District Council (ODC)
using a fire permit process.
ODC requires you to get a fire permit before lighting any fire in a
rural area. If you start a fire that gets out of control and
damages someone else's property, you're responsible for the cost of
repairing any damage. If the fire authority and/or the fire
service is called out you may have to pay their suppression costs
too. Before lighting any fire always consider your
neighbours and check the current weather conditions.
Outdoor fires, apart from gas barbecues and properly constructed
incinerators, require a permit.
To get a fire permit call Opotiki District Council on 07 3153030 or
print out the Fire Permit Application Form (PDF, 124 KB and
bring it in to 108 St John St, Opotiki.
You will be required to sign the completed Fire Permit as
recognition of its conditions.
However, even if you have a permit you are still responsible for a
fire that spreads and causes damage. And, failure to obtain a
permit for a fire is an offence against the Forest and Rural Fires
Act 1977. A Fire Permit is not a Legal Defence against claims
for damage caused by a fire.
Fire permits are issued in the urban zone under Council's bylaw and
in the rural zone in accordance with the Forest and Rural Fires Act
1977.
B Be a good neighbour
Do not create:
- Air and environmental pollution
- Smoke hazards
- Ash or odour nuisance
- Potential fire hazards
Instead of burning:
- Use the local Resource Recovery Centers at Opotiki, Te Kaha and Waihau Bay
- Use Council's recycling collection service in the urban area of Opotiki
- Mulch or compost waste vegetation
- Deliver recyclable items and materials to the Resource Recovery Centers.
Reporting dangerous fires - If you see smoke or fire and you think it looks threatening, dial 111 for the fire service.
C Fire seasons in Opotiki District Council
Council operates a two fire season process for controlling fires
in its district.
The fire seasons are based on the prevailing fire risk as
follows:
- Restricted Fire Season - This applies at all times unless a Total Fire Ban is declared. A Restricted Fire Season requires a Fire Permit for all open-air fires.
- Total Fire Ban - Under a Total Fire Ban, all existing fire permits are cancelled, no new fire permits will be granted, and all open-air fires, bonfires and fireworks are prohibited during the term of this ban.
- There is no open fire season where fires may be lit without a fire permit.
D Unauthorised and unsafe fires may be extinguished
Council's bylaw and the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1979 authorises Council Officers and the New Zealand Fire Service to extinguish any open air fire:
- During any Restricted Fire Season where no Fire Permit has been issued for that fire
- During a Total Fire Ban Season where no Special Fire Permit has been issued for that fire
- Found burning in breach of a Fire Permit condition
- That is unsafe or is a potential danger to property or persons
- If the smoke from your fire is causing issues with your neighbour
The cost of extinguishing such fires may be recovered from the
land occupier or person who lit the fire.
E Current Fire Season status - Restricted
A Restricted Fire Season currently applies throughout the Opotiki District Council fire area.
F You must obtain a Fire Permit for open air fires
You must apply in writing for a fire permit, which is required
for all open air fires unless a Total Fire Ban is in force.
The only exceptions to this are properly constructed
incinerators.
Fire permits are issued by specially warranted Council
officers. Special fire permits may be issued by the Principal
Rural Fire Officer during a total fire ban.
G Conditions for granting a Fire Permit
Council officers may need to carry out a site safety inspection
before a fire permit is issued.
The decision whether or not to issue a fire permit will be based on
the following factors:
(a) Fire ground conditions (Note: They are
subject to the type and size of fire proposed in each case):
- The current fire season status
- Fire ground location, topography and vehicle accessibility
- The type and size of fire proposed i.e. garden bonfire, general rubbish fire or large-scale land clearance, stubble or scrub burn off etc
- The fuel type, volume and combustibility
- The fire grounds exposure to wind
- Prevailing weather conditions and long-term weather forecast
- The location, size and condition of any fire breaks
- The on site availability of water, fire fighting and earthmoving equipment.
(b) The presence of potential fire hazards near the proposed fire ground:
- Trees, scrub, gorse, grass
- Buildings including houses, sheds, barns or other buildings
- Stored animal fodder i.e., haystacks
- Overhead wired electrical and telephone services
- Communication stations, structures or installations i.e., television, cell phone or radio towers or buildings
- Underground and/or aboveground gas or fuel storage installations
- Other Fire Districts close proximitiy.
H Land clearing applications require a burn plan
You must prepare a written burn plan for all land clearing and
burn off permit applications before a permit will be granted.
The plan must:
- Include a map of the fire ground showing the location of all access roads or tracks, water supplies, potentially vulnerable assets and firefighting equipment
- Clearly identify the person who will be responsible for controlling and managing the burn on site and provide their name and contact details
- Detail how the fire will be lit i.e. from a helicopter or by persons on foot etc
- Clearly explain how the fire will be monitored and managed
- List the on site communication equipment, services and/or procedures
- Identify how potentially vulnerable assets i.e., buildings, electricity, gas, telephone, telephone, television facilities will be protected
- List the fire fighting resources available on site during the burn. This is to include fire ground personnel, helicopter/s, water tankers, water supply, earthmoving machinery, and fire fighting appliances, equipment etc.
- List the notifications that will be made prior to light up i.e., advise the neighbours, Rural Fire Officer, New Zealand Fire Service, the owners of potentially vulnerable assets etc
- Detail the post fire procedures for ensuring the fire is
properly extinguished and confirmed as being out at the completion
of burning each day.
I Specifications for incinerators
You must always use an incinerator that is specifically designed
and constructed for rubbish burning.
Old drums are generally not suitable for this purpose unless they
have been specially adapted as an incinerator.
Your incinerator should have:
- A grate system to allow a free flow of air through the incinerator to aid burning
- A cover to contain the burning material
- A spark arrester to prevent the escape of sparks and embers.
Your incinerator should be cleaned out regularly to remove ashes
and unburnt material.
This will ensure clean burning and deter vermin and other
pests.
Safely dispose of incinerator waste.
J Rural Fire Plan
Opotiki District Council Rural Fire Authority administers the
Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, Forest and Rural Fire Regulations
2005 (and any subsequent additions or amendments) within the
Opotiki District Council Rural Fire District area.
The Fire Plan is prepared under the provisions of section 39(1) of
the Forest and Rural Fires Regulations 2005. The plan sets
out the Policies and Procedures which the Opotiki District Council
Rural Fire Authority will use to manage rural fires for the areas
under Opotiki District Council Rural Fire District
jurisdiction.
K Links to more fire information
Legislation:
Opotiki District Council links:
External websites:
