Feb 4: Restricted fire season starts for Raglan

Fire and Emergency New Zealand have announced that a restricted fire season will start on Monday, 4 February.

A restricted fire season means a fire permit is required to light any fire in the open air.

For more information about fire seasons around the Waikato visit: http://www.checkitsalright.nz/

Restricted fire season – during the restricted fire season, a fire permit is required to light any fire in the open air. Exemptions are:

Check if you need a fire permit before lighting a fire. For information about the fire season status throughout the country visit www.checkitsalright.nz.
Make sure the weather conditions are suitable for lighting a fire. A strong breeze can carry sparks for a considerable distance.
Make sure the intended fire location is adequately separated from other surrounding combustible materials. Don’t think that only bone-dry ‘brown’ vegetation will burn.
Never leave fires unattended because a change in wind direction or other unexpected behaviour can occur quickly.
Fires should not be ignited or have a naked flame visible during the hours of darkness.
Make sure there is sufficient access for fire fighting vehicles. Access tracks around your property need to be maintained so that a Fire Appliance can get in to your property within a timely manner.
Special attention is required for areas where peat soils exist as these fires can spread undetected and can be extremely difficult to control. The open season is the best time to carry out safe burns reducing the need for fires during summer.
It is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire to ensure there are sufficient resources on site to manage the fire and that the fire is contained at all times.
A fire should not be lit unless public liability and fire suppression insurance is taken out.
Liability for damage or fire suppression costs caused by any fire is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire.