MEDIA RELEASE

February 11, 2013

Dry conditions prompt reminder of outdoor burning rules

The Otago Regional Council is reminding Dunedin residents that carrying on outdoor burning in breach of the Otago Air Plan can render them liable for an instant fine and possible prosecution.

Otago Regional Council (ORC) director regional services Jeff Donaldson issued the reminder after the Dunedin City Council advised the long-term fire risk in the city has been held at lower levels by occasional rainfall, and relatively high humidity of late.

Dunedin’s risk is still at ‘moderate-to-high’ but is well below levels where a fire ban might be contemplated. The DCC says that despite the moderate risk, there may be periods where high temperatures, lower humidity, and wind create conditions that make it more likely for fires to start from accidental causes and to spread more rapidly.

Mr Donaldson said ORC was monitoring outdoor burning activity more closely than usual to ensure that smoke nuisance did not increase. Air Plan breaches could be dealt with by issuing instant fines of $300, and in more serious cases, prosecution could result.

He appealed to people to consider their neighbours and the environment when burning outside.

“Burning rubbish causes a nuisance to neighbours and can cause serious air pollution, which can also be toxic.”

The public can report nuisance fires to the ORC pollution hotline on 0800 800 033.

Outdoor burning is defined in the Air Plan as burning in the ground, on the ground, or in a container, outside of a building. It includes burning in a heap, burning in a drum, burning of standing vegetation, campfires, barbecues, bonfires, hangis, umus and braziers or other solid fuel patio heaters and appliances.

The Air Plan, which can be viewed at www.orc.govt.nz, outlines the rules governing emissions from outdoor burning and lists the materials it is illegal to burn.

In Dunedin, residents can burn rubbish in their backyard if the fire is more than 50 metres from any boundary, and the smoke is not a nuisance to neighbours. If the location of the fire is less than 50 metres from any boundary, then a resource consent is needed.

Paper, cardboard, plant matter and untreated wood can be burnt as long as it is dry .The plant material must not be green, so material just cut from living plants can’t be burnt .Wood must not be painted, varnished or treated, or contain glues or other plastics.

Mr Donaldson said barbeques were allowed as of right provided the smoke, ash, and smell did not cause a nuisance to neighbours at or beyond a property boundary.

ends

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