Obtaining a Fire Permit
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The management of the lighting of fires in residential areas throughout the whole of Canterbury is the responsibility of Environment Canterbury who has its own policies which it enforces. People wishing to burn in any residential area must contact Environment Canterbury to apply for a resource consent to burn. Exceptions are a hangi, an UMU or gas barbeques
For those wanting to burn in areas where there is a Restricted Fire Season in place, a Fire Permit must first be obtained from the relevant fire authority. Note that during a Prohibited Fire Season a Special Fire Permit is required, which may only be issued under stringent conditions.
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Residential Areas: To get a resource consent to burn outdoors in a residential area please contact Environment Canterbury
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Hill and High Country Areas: To enquire if a Resource Consent is required contact Environment Canterbury (03) 3653828. Remember that a Fire Permit will also be required from either Selwyn District or DoC depending on which fire authority the burn area is located within. Where burning is to occur within both fire districts a joint fire permit can be issued.
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Department of Conservation (DoC) Areas: To get a Fire Permit from the Department of Conservation ring them on (03) 371 3700.
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Selwyn Rural Fire Districts: To get a Fire Permit for rural areas during a Restricted Fire Season please contact Selwyn District Council's Principal Rural Fire Officer, Wilson Brown.
If you think that you are going to need a Fire Permit ask early, do not wait until the day you want to light the fire. To issue a Fire Permit the fire authority will first inspect the site, to establish the threats and conditions required to go on the fire permit. Once the Fire Permit has been issued it must be signed by both the fire authority and Fire Permit holder before the burn can proceed. Most Fire Permits are issued for a period which allows time to get the right conditions to complete the burn. There is no need to wait until the last minute before applying for a Fire Permit.
You might consider a fire permit and the required procedures not necessary for a small burn. If you burn without a Fire Permit the fire authority may take a prosecution out against you under the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977. You may also find that this affects your insurance policies. This could prove costly especially if the burn goes wrong and results in a wild fire.