Fire Restrictions
Open Fire Season (as of 19 March 2009)
The Hastings District Council enforces restrictions on lighting fires in the District. These restrictions range from an open fire season (no restrictions) to fire-by-permit (restricted fire season) to a total fire ban , where no permits are issued and no fires may be lit.
Open fire season
An open fire season means that you do not need a permit to light a fire, unless the fire will burn before sunrise or after sunset. You must supervise your fire until it is fully extinguished.
You are not allowed to light fires when it is windy, or within 5 meters of a structure, including trees and fences.
Restricted fire season
A restricted fire season means fire permits are needed from a Rural Fire Officer, who may stipulate conditions on burning. Three working days are required between the request for a fire permit and the time to burn, to enable staff to inspect sites and process fire permits.
No fire may be lit in the open air during the Restricted Fire Season without a permit to burn having first been issued by Council. Permits are not required for fixed and portable gas barbecues.
Total fire ban
A total fire ban means no outdoor fires may be lit without a permit, and very few permits are likely to be granted. Permits may be issued for disposal of diseased stock and trees. Gas barbeques may be used without a permit, but caution is advised. Total bans are reasonably rare and are only imposed when the fire risk is extreme.
How do I obtain a fire permit?
Permits to burn during a restricted fire season are only issued by the Council's Rural Fire Officers and may be subject to additional requirements imposed by them. These permits generally apply to the burning of grass, scrub and other vegetation for essential agricultural and industrial purposes.
| Permit | Cost |
| DRA 1 | $45 (if inspected) |
| DRA 2 | $60 (if inspected) |
| DRA 1 & 2 | $20 (if no inspection) |
Permits for lighting fires for other purposes, for example industrial burning and cutting, must be obtained from a Rural Fire Officer but may be subject to consents from the Hawke's Bay Regional Council.
Note: These permits are NOT VALID during a TOTAL FIRE BAN
The cost of fighting fires
You need to be aware that the cost of fighting fires on rural
land could be passed onto the landowner, or the person who
caused the fire.
There are powers in place under the Forest
and Rural Fires Act 1977 to recover the fire fighting
costs of fires.
Council policy is to recover costs where possible. Each case
is considered on its merits.
Some recreational groups have fire suppression insurance cover
for their members in case they cause a fire. It would be worthwhile
to find out whether the group that you belong to has insurance
cover for this purpose, or to join a group that does provide
this cover.
In addition families may wish to speak with their insurance
company and seek, in addition to the household insurance,
coverage for the cost of fire fighting for a fire caused by
a family members in a rural area.
Contact
Contact a Rural Fire Officer at the Hastings District Council for more information on phone 06 871 5000 or emo@hdc.govt.nz.
