The Whakatāne District Council is reminding the community that the 2013/14 restricted fire season has now started. The season began on 1 October and will run through to 30 April 2014.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Neal Yeates says a permit will be required for any fire in the open air during that period. “Fire Permits help us to know where and when fires are lit during the drier months so that we can provide a measure of protection for our community, as well as our forests, coastal and grassland areas.”

Applications can be obtained through the Council’s offices in Whakatāne or Murupara, from the Department of Conservation office in Murupara, or they can be downloaded from Council’s website. Applications will be considered, and where no undue risk is involved, and the necessary conditions have been complied with, a fire permit will be issued.

Mr Yeates reminds residents that the restricted fire season applies throughout the year on all Department of Conservation land and anyone wishing to light a fire within one kilometre of DOC land must have a fire permit.

“Uncontrolled fires are a huge risk, and residents need to be aware that they may be liable for the cost of fire fighting and any loss to property resulting from a fire they have lit,” he says. “In the event of a fire emergency, or to report any unattended fire, residents are asked to ring 111 and ask for the Fire Service.”