Fire restrictions in Waipa District
There are two areas of control, Urban and Rural. The Urban District, (the area within the town boundaries), falls under the domain of the New Zealand Fire Service (NZFS), while the balance of the District is classified as Rural and is administered by both Waipa District Council and the Department Of Conservation, (DOC).
A bylaw prohibits fire within the Urban areas, however dispensation can be granted for fires for cultural events, for example, hangi. If in doubt, contact Council.
Fire control on all DOC Reserves, which includes a one km margin from the edge of the reserve, is the responsibility of DOC, so if you are planning a fire within this exclusion zone, you will need to contact DOC for a permit. Council is the Rural Fire Authority for the balance of the rural area.
There are two areas within the Rural Fire Area of Waipa District that require a permit to burn in the open air all year round. These are the Moanatuatua Swamp and the immediate surrounds of Lake Maratoto at Ohaupo. They are marked with permanent signage advising of this.
Waipa District’s annual Restricted Fire Season begins on December 1, and ends on March 31. As the Rural Fire Authority, Council sets the conditions and requirements to permit any fire in the open air during the restricted season.
It is an offence to cause to be set on fire, or aid or abet others to so, any combustible material in the open air during the Restricted Season. However Council will issue permits, weather conditions permitting, and these can be obtained from either Council reception during normal business hours. There is no charge for these permits. Council staff monitor Fire Weather conditions through daily updates and if any of the factors become extreme, Fire Permits will no longer be issued and existing permits cancelled until conditions once again become acceptable.
Any person in charge of the fire is ultimately responsible for any damage the fire may cause despite the fact that it may be permitted.
Any fire that is planned to lit on Peat will very likely require a site inspection from a Rural Fire Officer. This is a service that is also not usually charged for.
With a little common sense, all fires can be kept safe, however, some of the conditions of a Fire Permit are listed here:
• Fires are to be supervised at all times.
• No fires to be left to burn during the hours between sunset and sunrise.
• No smoke nuisance is to be caused to neighbours
• Fire must not be left to burn where there is a chance of spread
• A garden hose or other equipment should be kept handy if available.
• The fire is to be completely extinguished on completion of the burn.
Common sense however is the most effective form of control with all fires.
Fire Bylaw 2007 (PDF 2.16mb)
Urban Fire Area Maps - Low Resolution (PDF 565kb)
Urban Fire Area Maps - High Resolution (PDF 6.64mb)
To apply for a Rural Fire Permit on line
info@waipadc.govt.nz
The National Rural Fire Authority Homepage
http://www.nrfa.org.nz/FireNet/Regions/Rural
The New Zealand Fire Service Homepage
http://www.fire.org.nz/Pages/Home.aspx