Fire ban and restrictions declared in the Far North

Dry weather and the increased fire risk have forced the Northern Rural Fire Authority to declare prohibited and restricted fire seasons in the Far North district.

The authority has declared a prohibited fire season on the Aupouri and Karikari Peninsulas (Zone One) where there are normally year-round restrictions on lighting fires.

The ban will take effect from midday on November 29 and mean no open-air fires will be allowed until further notice.

The authority will consider granting special permits for hangi fires.

The only other exceptions to the total fire ban are gas barbeques.

A restricted fire season will take effect in the southern area of the district (Zone Two) from midday on November 29 until further notice.

This means people will need a permit to light a fire in the open.

Far North principal rural fire officer Myles Taylor says the authority is banning open-air fires in Zone One because the fire risk has reached levels that pose a threat to public safety and property.

“Conditions are getting too dangerous for us to continue with a restricted fire season as recent fires at Karikari Peninsula and Ahipara have demonstrated.”

He urges the public to heed the fire ban or risk fines and a hefty bill for fire fighting costs.

“A small rubbish fire can quickly develop into a major blaze that covers hundreds of hectares and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars to suppress.”

There is no risk for complacency in the southern area of the district where people will be charged even if fire services are called upon to put out permitted fires.

“Our simple message is, if you can’t control it, don’t light it.”

Permit applications can be obtained from and lodged with Juken NZ Ltd, Aupouri Forest Headquarters, DOC’s Kaitaia and Bay of Islands offices or Far North District Council Service Centres (phone 0800 920 029) during office hours.

Applicants should allow up to 72 hours for an inspection to be made.