Current Fire Season Status: PROHIBITED
Current weather conditions have created an extreme fire hazard in the whole of the Whakatane district.
The high risk of outbreak of fire has caused the Principal Rural Fire Officer of the Whakatane District Council to declare a prohibited fire season on all land under Whakatane District Council Rural Fire Authority and is effective from 30 January 2013 until further notice.
All Fire Permits previously issued for fires on land administered by the Whakatane District Council Rural Fire Authority are hereby cancelled and no open fires are permitted.
The Whakatane District Council seeks the public’s assistance to report any smoke or fire sightings by dialling 111.
Abour Fire Permits
Whakatane District Council encourages you to get a fire permit before lighting any fire in a rural area. If you start a fire that gets out of control and damages someone else's property, you're responsible for the cost of repairing any damage. If the fire authority and/or the fire service is called out you may have to pay their suppression costs too. Before lighting any fire always consider your neighbours and check the current weather conditions.
Outdoor fires, apart from gas barbecues and incinerators, may require a permit.
To get a fire permit call Whakatane District Council on 07 306 0500 or print out the Fire Permit Application Form - (PDF, 87Kb) and bring it in.
When do I need a fire permit?
You’ll need a fire permit during a restricted fire season. Check with the Whakatane District Council regarding what fire season is in place.
However, even if you have a permit you are still responsible for a fire that spreads and causes damage. And, failure to obtain a permit for a fire is an offence against the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977. A Fire Permit is not a Legal Defence against claims for damage caused by a fire.
Fire Seasons and Fire Permits
Restricted fire season is from 1 October to 30 April – fire permit required
Open fire season is from 1May to 30 September – no permit required
DOC has a restricted fire season all year round with a 1km safety margin around all their reserves – fire permit required.
Reporting dangerous fires
If you see smoke or fire and you think it looks threatening, dial 111 for the fire service.
Find out more
For more information on what you can and cannot burn, see Environment Bay of Plenty's Smoke Sense brochure - (PDF, 67Kb).