Total Fire Ban reduced

Napier City Council and Hastings District Council, in conjunction with the NZ Fire Service,
has reduced the total fire ban in the district to a restricted fire season.

This means a permit will still be required for any fire being lit out in the open, until further notice.
The restricted fire season is effective from 8am, Monday 31st March.

Paul Hawke, Hastings District Council’s Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer, said new
vegetation growth has occurred in the ranges and high hill country areas but the risk of fire
is still extreme on the plains and along the coast due to the lack of any significant rain.

“Summer weather patterns are still affecting parts of the district and fire restrictions need to
remain due to the extreme risk of fire. The plains and coastal areas are still very dry and
that is of great concern to us,” said Mr Hawke.

Fires out in the open may only be lit if a permit to burn has first been obtained. Three
working days should be allowed for an inspection to be carried out. People lighting fires
without a permit could face a $20,000 fine in addition to the costs of extinguishing the fire.

The restricted fire season applies to all outdoor fires in the Hastings District and Napier
City, including areas under control of the New Zealand Fire Service, Bay Forests Rural
Fire District and the Department of Conservation. People wishing to light fires in any of
these areas will need to contact the appropriate fire authority for a permit.

Napier City Council and Hastings District Council imposed a total fire ban on 29th
February, and although there has been a slight improvement in conditions there is still a
high risk of fire in some areas.