Get ready for a fire-smart summer on the Coromandel

Many people enjoy a fire in their backyard from time to time, but nobody wants the fire to get out of control and burn property, or escape into the bush and destroy our beautiful environment. That's why our Council adopted new rules for fires in the open in urban areas of the Coromandel that take effect today.

The Fires in the Open Bylaw sets out rules for the protection of people, property and the environment that also acknowledge people's desire to light fires for cooking, heating and amenity purposes.

Our Council adopted the bylaw at its meeting on 17 August.

"The main message of the bylaw is be fire safe: Always do a safety check and talk to any neighbours who might be affected before you light any type of outdoor fire," says our Community Environment Manager Barry Smedts. "If you can't control it, don't light it."

Just like the old bylaw, the new one allows Council to set fire seasons in order to minimise fire risk through the year.

The new bylaw applies to the Coromandel's urban areas
We have maps of all the urban areas covered by the bylaw on our website to help you find out which area you fall under - and you can also check out our online mapping software.
Make sure:
• Fires in the open are supervised at all times
• There is an adequate means of fire suppression available at all times - like a pressured water supply or a fire extinguisher
• The fire is totally extinguished when you are finished
The following fires are allowed:
• Fireworks - They are a fire in the open but don't require a permit. Only light them if you are sure they will not cause a danger to people or property or the environment, will not go out of control, will not cause a smoke or noise nuisance, and not be a hazard to traffic. Be a good neighbour
• Compliant fire devices - these are permanent structures such as pizza ovens, outdoor fireplaces and incinerators that have a chimney with a spark arrestor and have a door or lid or grill over the fire box
• Fires with a permit
• Gas barbeques, cookers and heaters

Fires in urban areas that need a permit
As under the old bylaw, these types of fires need permits in our urban areas:
• Big, organised fireworks displays - pyrotechnic displays
• What we call cultural cooking fires - hangi, umu, fire pit or other solid fuel outdoor fire used for preparing food using traditional cooking methods
• Other types of fires, bonfires for example
Go to our website to fill in our online permit for fires in urban areas. Or, get in touch with our Customer Services team on 07 868 0200 or email customer.services@tcdc.govt.nz

Rural rules
No changes have been made to fires in rural areas as these areas are regulated by the Thames Valley Rural Fire Authority and the Department of Conservation. See our web pagewww.tcdc.govt.nz/fire for the rules that apply there and for an online application form for a fire in the open in a rural area. For more information on how rules are set in rural areas check out theNational Rural Fire Authority's website.

See an out-of-control fire?
Call the NZ Fire Service on 111.

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