Media Release: Waikato District Council, 7 January 2015
A restricted fire season will be introduced for rural areas of around Raglan and other parts of the Waikato district from Saturday 10 January with permits required for all open-air fires.
Principal Rural Fire Officer, Gordon Bailey, explains the move to a restricted fire season is a result of the climatic conditions over the past few weeks.
“We’ve had limited rain with high temperatures across the district and this contributes to a rapid increase in fire-weather danger levels. With these conditions there is a risk of fires spreading particularly if we have strong winds – they can make fire behaviour extremely unpredictable.”
Mr Bailey says anyone lighting fires must do so in a responsible manner, ensuring they’re safe, will not spread or cause any smoke nuisance to neighbours or nearby road users.
“It’s timely to remind people that any costs incurred to extinguish fires must be covered by the person responsible for lighting a fire or the landowner.”
Applications for fire permits can be made by contacting Waikato District Council on 0800 492 452, or by downloading an application form online at www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.
Notes:
- Restrictions already exist within urban areas and areas managed by the Department of Conservation.
- Gas barbecues or similar outdoor gas appliances do not require a Fire Permit.
- Permitted burning is not allowed after dark.
- Fire Restrictions apply all year round for the Mangatawhiri swamp area between SH 2 and the Maramarua River and all Department of Conservation land.
- A year round total fire ban is in force for Waiuku Forest.