Fire Permits

Click here for an application form for a fire permit.  Permits cost $10.00.

Lifting of Fire Restrictions on the Kaikoura Flats Rural Area

Notice is hereby given that the previously advertised “RESTRICTED FIRE SEASON” which extended over the Kaikoura Flats Rural Zoned Area (bounded to the South by the Inland Road, to the West by Postman’s Road & State Highway 1 and to the North by the Hapuku River, (EXCLUDING THE KAIKOURA TOWNSHIP RESIDENTIAL ZONED AREA) will be temporarily lifted as from Wednesday 7 May 2008 until Tuesday 30 September 2008 for the Winter season.

Fires may then be lit in the open air without a permit within the Kaikoura Flats Rural Area. The fires are intended for vegetation disposal and not burning of domestic rubbish. Burning rubbish that emits toxic smoke e.g. plastic, rubber etc is prohibited.

PLEASE NOTE:
This “Open Fire Season” differs from previous years, as now, due to Environment Canterbury’s Air Quality Plan; no outdoor burning/smoke discharge is permitted in RESIDENTIAL ZONED AREAS (i.e. Kaikoura Township), without resource consent from Environment Canterbury. This includes garden rubbish fires, drum fires, braziers and single combustion chamber waste incineration devices.  Please check with ECan to get a full interpretation of the rules and conditions.

A “RESTRICTED FIRE SEASON” REMAINS IN PLACE FOR THE WHOLE YEAR FOR THE REMAINDER OF THE KAIKOURA DISTRICT OUTSIDE THE DESIGNATED FLATS AREA.

All residents are requested to take care when lighting open fires and are reminded that the legal liability for costs associated with fighting an uncontrolled fire lie with the person lighting the fire.

Before lighting an open fire, due attention must be given to: the weather conditions, the availability of pressurized water, adequacy of firebreaks, patrolling of fires until completely out and it is requested that fires NOT be lit after dark. Also please advise your rural neighbours before lighting a fire in the open to help reduce false alarm calls and minimise smoke nuisance problems.

For more information on fires, a brochure on ‘Lighting Fires in the Kaikoura District’ is available from the Kaikoura District Council office and information on obtaining resource consent is available from Environment Canterbury.

MM Kennedy
Principal Rural Fire Officer

Volunteer Rural Fire Forces

Volunteer Rural Fire Forces are operating from Kaikoura township, Oaro/Goose Bay, Clarence and Kekerengu.  Volunteers are urgently needed for each of these fire forces, training and fire fighting equipment is provided.  Please contact Mike Kennedy, Emergency Management Officer, at the Kaikoura District Council if you think you can help.

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