Rural Fire

 

Bernie Cmon.

 


Open Fire Season


Open fire season

An open fire season means that any person lighting a fire in the open air can do so without obtaining a ‘fire permit' but should remain in attendance with the fire until it is fully extinguished.  HOWEVER, even during an Open Fire Season fires that will burn during the period from sunset one night and sunrise the next day (night time) must not be lit without first obtaining a fire permit (see below). This applies 365 days a year.

Restricted fire season

A restricted fire season means fire permits are needed from a Rural Fire Officer, who may stipulate conditions on burning. At least 24 hours notice is 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. This generally includes the use of backyard incinerators. Permits are not required for fixed and portable gas barbecues. ( See Frequently Asked Questions)

Total fire ban

A total fire ban means NO outdoor fires may be lit. Special Permits may be issued for disposal of diseased stock and trees only. 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. You must contact Council on 06 857 8060 at least 24 hours before wanting light a fire that requires a fire permit or email contact can be made with Bruce Kitto or Allen Vickress.
Information required will include name and address (including rural rapid number), a contact telephone number, and what type of fire you wish to light including the main fuel type being burned.

A site inspection by a Rural Fire Officer will generally be required before a fire permit can be issued.

Fire permits will be subject to conditions and requirements imposed by a Rural Fire Officer. These permits generally apply to the burning of grass, scrub and other vegetation for essential agricultural purposes.

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

At the time of preparing this document Council do not charge for issuing a Fire Permit.

If you live within an area in Central Hawkes Bay that is controlled by the Department of Conservation (DOC) or you live within one (1) kilometre of a DOC boundary you will require a ‘Fire permit' from DOC. They generally remain in a Restricted Fire Season all year round. ALSO if you live within an area controlled by the Bay Forests Rural Fire District or within a kilometre of their boundary you will require a fire permit from them. They also generally remain in a Restricted Fire Season all year round.

The cost of fighting fires

There are powers in place under Sections 43 and 46 of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 to recover the costs of fighting fires in rural areas.
Under these provisions the cost of fighting vegetation or similar fires on rural land could be passed onto the person who caused the fire or any landowner who ‘benefits' from the extinguishing of the fire.

These sections do not apply to structure, vehicle or some other types of fire where the costs of fire fighting is covered by a ‘fire levy' paid as part of general insurance policies.

Council policy is to recover costs where possible. Each case is considered on its merits.

Property owners living outside an Urban Fire Zone should speak with their insurance company and seek, in addition to the household insurance, coverage for the cost of fire fighting for a fire on their rural property.

Reporting smoke sightings

During a restricted fire season, ring your Rural Fire Officer on 06 857 8060 to confirm if a permit has been issued for any fire you think may be a problem.

If you have concerns about the fire being safe, dial 111 for the fire service.

During a total fire ban, ring 111 immediately. There should be NO fires at all and your early report of a fire may well save damage to your property in extreme conditions.

Prepare your home in case of rural fire

Home owners should start tidying up rubbish around the home before fire restrictions are put in place.

Fire breaks

Mowing and grazing of grass along boundaries and near buildings, roads, railways, public areas and forests is essential to limit potential fire spread.
Irrigating areas around buildings, removal of dead vegetation, cleaning of roofs and gutters, trimming and thinning of trees, planting of low flammability species, and reducing build-up of rubbish are all ways that you can help lessen the likelihood of fire on your property.

Fire vehicle access

Urban and rural fire trucks are three metres high by three metres wide and weigh 14 tonnes. Can these vehicles fit through your gate and get down your driveway? Are bridges and culverts on your property able to carry the weight? What about quick access to building locations and water points? Access is the responsibility of the land owner.

Water supplies

If fire crews have to come to your property to fight a fire, a minimum of 40,000 litres of water is needed. This water may be in property tanks (fitted with a female camlock coupling on the outlet) or in ponds, dams, or swimming pools. If you have a pressurised well, fit a coupling that fire fighters can use to connect directly into as this will save time.
Water points should be clearly signposted and should have good vehicle access, including a turning area for a water tanker.

Property identification

Ensure that your rural rapid number is clearly displayed at the gate or on your letterbox to ensure easy visual identification for emergency services in an emergency. (If your rural property does not have a rapid number contact a member of Council's Building Team to obtain one)

When reporting a fire, describe the best access to the fire to the operator and have someone out on the road to direct responding fire trucks, or use a parked vehicle with hazard lights operating as a marker.

Contact

For more information about rural fire in the Central Hawkes Bay District contact a Rural Fire Officer on 06-857-8060, fax 06-857-7720, mobile 027-446-3796 or email Bruce Kitto.

Post:

CHB Rural Fire Authority
P O Box 127
WAIPAWA 4240