Fire restrictions still in place

Residents living within the Waitakere Rural Fire District are reminded that they currently need to apply for a permit before lighting fires in the open air.

A permit is required until the City’s restricted fire season ends on April 30. To apply for a fire permit (which is free), phone the Council’s 24-hour Call Centre on 839 0400.

Residents living in urban areas are able to light backyard fires without a permit, so long as they comply with Council bylaws. The fire can only be burning between sunrise and sunset, must not be within three metres of a neighbour’s fence and should not be creating a smoke nuisance. Water must also be readily available to extinguish the fire if necessary.

As a general guide all of the area west of a line, described below, to the west coast is deemed to be within the Waitakere Rural Fire District:

Redhills Road Birdwood Road Swanson Road Candia Road
Henderson Valley Road Parrs Cross Road West Coast Road
Shaw Road Exhibition Drive Huia Road Shirley Road

In times of extreme fire risk, conditions may be imposed by the NZ Fire Service, but in normal times the City’s bylaws govern the use of fire.

In the Waitakere Rural Fire District, in addition to the Council bylaws, there are three fire seasons throughout the year:

Open Fire Season
Fires may be lit in the open under the conditions detailed in the City’s Bylaw 6. The Open Fire Season is usually from 1 May to 30 November each year.

Restricted Fire Season
From 1 December to 30 April when lighting any fire in the open air requires a permit.

Prohibited Fire Season
A Prohibited Fire Season is imposed during periods of extreme fire danger, and no fire of any description may be lit in the open air.

Note: The dates given are the usual dates of the seasons. This, however, does not prevent the declaration of a Restricted or Prohibited season at any time during the year should conditions warrant it.

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