Tuesday 17 March 2009

Restricted fire season revoked

A dampish start to Autumn will see the restricted fire season which has been in force for the entire Clutha District since November, revoked as of midnight tonight (Tuesday 17 March 2009).

This will see an open burning season come into effect, which means no permits will be required for fires in the open air.

The exception to this is for those areas within one kilometre from Ernslaw One Forest (Southern Rural Fire District) and Department of Conservation land, and within 500m of Wenita and City Forest plantations. Permits to burn in these fire safety margins are still required and should be obtained from the Rural Fire Authority for that area.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Selwyn Vigers stressed that the end of the restricted fire season did not mean residents should be any less vigilant when lighting fires.

“People still need to think about the material they are burning, the environment they are lighting fires in, and any potential fire hazards nearby such as long grass, vegetation and building structures,” Mr Vigers said.

“It is still the responsibility of the person lighting a fire to ensure it doesn’t spread or cause a nuisance to neighbouring properties. Prosecution and cost recovery are still possible if a fire causing danger or a nuisance has to be extinguished.”

The current rural fire season status, along with other rural fire safety information, is available on the Clutha District Council website www.cluthadc.govt.nz

ENDS