Dunedin (Wednesday, 11 November) - With the ashes of all Guy Fawkes night bonfires thoroughly doused, Civil Defence and Rural Fires have turned their thoughts to the next round of bonfire applications.

Permits will be issued for the night of New Year's Eve only and are subject to a prior safety inspection. A rural fire officer will look at the fire’s location and size, whether it will pose a risk to anyone else and the applicant’s safety plans should the fire become dangerous.

Civil Defence and Rural Fires Manager, Neil Brown, says, “We have a very good record in the Dunedin area and we’ve only rarely had to respond to a bonfire. We think this is because people have talked to us first and understand clearly what to do and how to be safe.”

Civil Defence and Rural Fires are accepting applications for New Year’s Eve bonfires until Friday, 11 December 2009. To make an application, contact the DCC on 477 4000.

ENDS

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