18 December 2014

Burn safely over summer

“Check with us before lighting any fires this summer,” is the message form Gisborne District Council principal fire officer, Richard Steele.

A permit is required to light an open air fire in the Gisborne urban and rural residential area, and may be conditional in other rural areas.

“It pays to check with council first before burning rubbish or laying a hangi,” says Mr Steele. “Open fires may be permitted in some areas and completely prohibited in others.”

Fires classified as open air fires are:
• campfires;
• cooking fires;
• braziers;
• rubbish fires;
• hangi fires;
• Chinese lanterns;
• open top incinerators;
• controlled burns; and
• prescribed burns.

Barbecues and cookers are not considered open fires.

“Bon fires on beaches are completely prohibited except by special permit”

“With drier weather coming up, we want to ensure people have a safe and happy festive season free from catastrophe caused by fire.”

Last month a controlled burn off at a Pouawa farm and another at Whangara got out of control quickly in strong winds.

Council offer a range of guidelines with permits to make people aware of the dangers and help to prevent disasters.

“There are some rules to follow, like no burning after dark or in-organic material,” says Mr Steele.

Council will be closing for the holiday break on Tuesday 23 December and re-opening Monday 5 January 2015. Applications for fire permits may take up to 3 working days to process.

Apply for a permit online at www.gdc.govt.nz or call customer services on 06 867 2049.

ENDS

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