Restricted fire season starts in rural areas

Lighting outdoor fires in rural areas of Christchurch and Banks Peninsula is ‘restricted’ from 17 December 2011 until further notice.

Anyone in the rural zone who wants to light a fire outdoors after 17 December must obtain a rural fire permit from the Christchurch City Council. Barbecues in enclosed containers are not included in the ban, so long as the property is serviced by a domestic water supply.

For those living in residential areas (both urban and rural) within Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, lighting outdoor fires is not permitted at any time of the year without a resource consent from Environment Canterbury.

It is important to check with both Christchurch City Council and Environment Canterbury prior to burning outdoors.

In addition, outdoor burning within a one kilometre safety margin of Department of Conservation land is restricted all year round, and a fire permit must be obtained from a DOC office.