Council Urges Every Precaution When Working with Fire

Although the fire status in Ruapehu is ‘open’ meaning that a fire permit is not required Ruapehu District Council (RDC) is urging anyone lighting an open air fire to take every precaution.

RDC Principal Rural Fire Officer, Nick Watson, said that although the Ruapehu district has had some periods of extreme dry weather there has been enough rain to allow the open fire status to remain in place.

“Although a fire permit is not required anyone anyone using machinery outdoors or wanting to use fire needs to take every precaution,” he said.

“People should also be aware that all Department of Conservation (DOC) land has a permanent fire restriction in place and as such anyone lighting a fire with 1km of any DOC land needs to contact the local DOC Area Office for a fire permit.”

“Lighting an open air fire is always a risk and we would encourage people to take advantage of the free advice council provides on safe fire practices including on site fire safety inspections at no charge.”

“We have an excellent range of fire safety brochures which are available or alternatively people can contact their local council office and arrange for a fire safety inspection on your property and the area you want cleared.”

Mr Watson said that people need to be aware that the responsibility for fires in rural areas is different from urban areas in that you can be held personally liable for the costs associated with putting out an out-of-control fire in rural areas even if you have a fire permit.

“The costs for putting out large rural fires can easily climb into six figure sums especially if helicopters are involved or the fire causes consequential damages to another business or property.”

“The key rule to follow at any time is that if you need to use fire you must ensure that you can control it and if you are in any doubt about the conditions or fire safety then don’t burn.”

CLIVE MANLEY
CHIEF EXECUTIVE

ENDS

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