Fire Danger Eases In Coastal Areas But Total Fire Ban Remains In Strath Taieri

While the Strath Taieri remains at significant risk from fire, and will continue to be subject to a total fire ban, the fire danger in the coastal areas of the city has eased, allowing a return to a restricted fire season (fire by permit only) in the two coastal zones (see map attached).

The lifting of the ban in the North Coast Fire Zone and the South Coast Fire Zone Fire is effective from 6:00am on Wednesday 21 April, and permits that were suspended by the ban, and which have not yet expired, will become valid again. Applications for fire permit renewals and new permits in these zones can once again be accepted by the Dunedin City Council’s Customer Service Agency, phone 477 4000.

Under provisions of the Dunedin City Council By-law, the ban included outdoor burning in the urban fire districts in the North Coast and South Coast Fire Zones and outdoor burning in these districts will be able to resume, subject to meeting the conditions of the by-law. A guideline on burning in urban areas is available from the Dunedin City Council Customer Service Agency and on the Dunedin City Council web site.

While the fire danger in the coastal zones has reverted to below the levels necessitating a total fire ban, people should not be complacent about the way they manage fires. Great care should be exercised when carrying out any permitted burning activity. No fire should be left unattended and ashes should be thoroughly extinguished following burning. During windy weather, even several weeks after a burn, fire sites should be checked carefully to ensure embers are not fanned back into life.

No outdoor fires (other than gas barbecues) are allowed under the continuing ban in the Strath Taieri Fire Zone, which includes the Middlemarch Urban Fire District. It is expected that it will be some time before fire danger levels in this zone reduce to the point where the ban can be safely removed.

For any fire that may be dangerous or out of control, ring 111 without delay.