Rural fire restrictions lifted

The Christchurch City Council will lift the rural fire restrictions on midnight Saturday 4 June as dry conditions ease.

The change will mean Christchurch’s rural fire status is now ‘open’.

Christchurch City Council Principal Rural Fire Officer Darrin Woods says the changes marked the end of the summer fire season.

"With winter underway general conditions are easing thanks to cooler and shorter days and more regular rainfall. This has allowed us to lift the restricted fire status.

"For the rural areas, this change means fires are allowed provided they comply with Environment Canterbury (ECan) regulations.”

The ECan winter outdoor fire ban for properties located within the Christchurch Clean Air Zone has been in effect since 1 May and will run until 31 August 2016. Residents are encouraged to check with the Council or ECan to see if this applies to them.

Department of Conservation areas remain on restricted status all year-round.

Those responsible for lighting fires are still required to take necessary precautions to ensure that fires remain under control.

"Regardless of the status changes, our advice for anyone having a fire remains the same. Check the weather conditions to ensure the weather during and after the fire is not going to create any problems, and always make sure you have the means to extinguish the fire if need be," Mr Woods says.

Before lighting any fire in the outdoors, landowners need to give consideration to forecast weather conditions, means of controlling and extinguishing fires, and the supervision of burns.

Mr Woods says if anyone sees suspicious activity or unsupervised fires, they should call 111 immediately.

ENDS

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