As the district Rural Fire Authority the Council is mainly concerned with the control of vegetation fires. It is also responsible for fire prevention activities and monitors the daily fire danger, declares fire seasons and issues fire permits during Restricted Fire Seasons.
Fire Seasons
There are three fire seasons you should be aware of;
Open Fire Season
No permit is required to light a fire in the open air.
You are, however, responsible for any consequences should the fire escape control.
Restricted Fire Season
A permit is required from a Rural Fire Authority (i.e. The South Taranaki District Council) to light a fire in the open air. These generally exclude gas BBQs. Having a permit does not mean your responsibilities end there.. You are responsible for any consequences should the fire escape control.
The Department of Conservation is also the Fire Authority for all State Areas (e.g. National Parks, State Forests) within the South Taranaki District, and they have a 1 kilometre fire safety margin around all State Areas which has a year round Restricted Fire Season.
Property owners that wish to have a open air fire within the 1 kilometre fire safety margin will need to contact the Department of Conservation for a Fire Permit.
Prohibited Fire Season
Conditions are such that all fires are banned, even when a permit has previously been issued.
Need a Fire Permit?
For information regarding fire restrictions or bans or getting your fire permit, please contact the Hawera Administration Centre on (06) 278 0555 or toll free 0800 111 323.
Charges for fires
The Council has an agreement with the New Zealand Fire Service so the Fire Service will respond to vegetation fire calls in the rural areas of the South Taranaki District for the first hour free of charge, and any additional time spent at the fire will be charged to the person responsible or the property owner.
Should the vegetation fire be likely to exceed one hour then Council’s Rural Fire personnel and specialised rural fire equipment will be called out to the fire and the Rural Fire personnel and equipment costs will be charged to the person responsible or the property owner.
