normal fire restrictions

RESTRICTED FIRE SEASON ENDS

The Restricted Fire Season ended at midnight Tuesday, 19 February for the rural part of the Plains area of the Selwyn District.

However, fires in the open air remain permanently restricted:

• in the Hill and High Country,

• on and around Department of Conservation land, and

• in all residential and sensitive rural areas.

Open air fires may now be lit in rural parts of the Plains area without a fire permit from the District Council.

“Please note that this only applies to the rural areas,” said Principal Rural Fire Officer, Wilson Brown. “In residential areas, you must get a resource consent from Environment Canterbury before you can light an open air fire.”

Fire controls are also in place all year round on Department of Conservation lands and their surrounding margins. Permits to burn in these areas should be obtained from the Department of Conservation.

Mr Brown said that, even in the areas where restrictions have been lifted, care still needs to be taken.

“Remember, the person lighting a fire is legally liable for any costs arising from its getting out of control.” 

Before lighting a fire outdoors, due attention must be given to weather conditions, adequacy of fire breaks, and the patrolling of fires until completely out. Fires should not be lit after dark.

He also cautioned that restrictions may be re-imposed at any time if changed weather conditions create a potentially dangerous fire situation.

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