Fire Permits
Fire permits are required during a restricted fire season. For Southern Rural Fire Authority this is Zone B areas all year and Zone A areas during a restricted fire season.
Zone B areas are permitted all year round as these areas have been identified as high risk or high commercial or community value that require additional fire management.
Types of fires
Standard burning conditions apply to the type of fire activity being undertaken and include definitions of fire types for clarity. These standard conditions will apply for any fire permit being issued along with any additional conditions that may be entered by the issuing officer.
See standard permit conditions
Specific types of fires are exempt from requiring a fire permit providing all conditions for the type of fire activity are met. When a Restricted Fire Season has been put in place for Zone A areas these exemptions also apply.
| Type of fire or material to be burnt | Exemptions from obtaining a Fire Permit | Specific Burning Conditions - What you need to do |
|---|---|---|
| BBQ/Cooking fires | ||
| Definition: means any gas or solid fuel container that is designed to be used primarily for cooking food in the open air. | Yes | The BBQ/cooking fire is no closer than 5 metres to any building, fence, hedge or other combustible material |
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available - mains pressure hose is best, or a number of buckets filled and ready | ||
| Do not leave the fire unattended | ||
| Completely extinguish fire prior to leaving area | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" | ||
| Camping Fires | ||
| Definition: fire in the open for the purposes of warmth and/or cooking and is no bigger than 50cm x 50cm. | Yes | Maintain clear area free of any combustible material of five metres clear from any trees or any overhanging vegetation, logs or any dry vegetation |
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available - mains pressure hose is best, or a number of buckets filled and ready | ||
| Not to be lit on beaches above high tide mark | ||
| Not to be lit where notices and advertising are present which specify the lighting of fires only in other types of receptacle or place | ||
| Do not leave the fire unattended | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" | ||
| Hangi/Umu | ||
| Definition: traditional Maori and Pacific Island way of cooking food in the ground. | Yes | The hangi/umu is no closer than 10 metres to any building, fence, hedge or other combustible material |
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available - mains pressure hose is best, or a number of buckets filled and ready | ||
| Do not leave the fire unattended | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Hedge trimmings | ||
| Definition: piled up trimmings from hedges where the limbs are smaller than 75 mm in diameter and pile is no larger than 2 m x 2 m. | Yes – Only in Rural Areas during restricted fire season Urban areas will require a fire permit |
Trimmings are to be stacked at least 30 metres away and on the downwind side of any shelter belt, trees, fences, buildings or other combustible material |
| The fire is only to be lit with a wind blowing away from any shelter belt, trees, fences, buildings or other combustible material | ||
| Do not light if strong winds are forecast for the following 48 hours while burning | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Incinerator | ||
| Definition: a drum/container designed to prevent the escape of hot ash or fire. | Yes | The incinerator is designed to prevent the escape of fire and ashes (including a mesh or solid lid) |
| The incinerator is no closer than 5 metres to any building, tree, hedge, fence or other combustible material | ||
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available - mains pressure hose is best, or a number of buckets filled and ready | ||
| All embers and ashes are totally extinguished after burning | ||
| The incinerator is only to be lit during daylight hours and must be extinguished before dark | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Offal Hole | ||
| Definition: a hole excavated for the purpose of disposing of offal and dead carcases. | Yes – Only in rural areas during restricted fire season | There must be a cleared area of at least 30 metres from any other combustible material |
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available | ||
| The fire must be lit with a positive wind away from any danger area | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Brazier | ||
| Definition: a grate type heating appliance designed to be used outdoors with wood. | Yes | Maintain a clear area of 5 metres free of any combustible material around brazier |
| Brazier not to be used in winds above 15 km/hr | ||
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available - mains pressure hose is best, or a number of buckets filled and ready | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Backyard Fire (urban) | ||
| Definition: Burning of garden clippings/waste in a small pile no larger than 1 m x 1 m. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
Maintain clear area free of any combustible material of 10 metres away and on the downwind side of any other combustible material |
| Fire is to be no larger than 1 metre by 1 metre in size | ||
| Ensure smoke from fire does not create a hazard to any other properties | ||
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire is available | ||
| All embers and ashes are totally extinguished after burning | ||
| Fire is only to be lit during daylight hours and must be extinguished before dark | ||
| Do not leave the fire unattended | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Bonfire | ||
| Definition: pile of wood and/or vegetation and/or rubbish (no plastics or tyres) and is no larger than 5 m x 5 m. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
The bonfire is to be stacked at least 30 metres away and on the downwind side of any shelter belt, trees, fences, buildings or other combustible material |
| A water supply sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available | ||
| Obtain a long range weather forecast with no strong winds forecast for the following 48 hours while burning | ||
| Do not leave fire unattended | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Windrows | ||
| Definition: a continuous row of cut or root raked vegetation that has been formed using a dozer or excavator. Rows can be 20 m to much longer. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
A prescribed burning plan may be required prior to a fire permit being issued. All conditions noted in the prescribed burning plan must be met. |
| Obtain a long range weather forecast with no strong winds forecast for the following 48 hours while burning | ||
| Maintain clear area of 30 metres free of any combustible material around perimeter of burn site of either bare/worked ground or green grass | ||
| Have a tractor with front end loader or digger on site while burning | ||
| The fire must be lit with a positive wind away from any danger area | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| The fire is to be regularly patrolled until it is out | ||
| Notify neighbours on the day of burning prior to lighting up | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Heaps / Piles | ||
| Definition: area of vegetation that has been stacked up by mechanical means for burning, usually larger than 5 m x 5 m. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
Obtain a long range weather forecast with no strong winds forecast for the following 48 hours while burning |
| Maintain clear area of 30 metres free of any combustible material around perimeter of burn site of either bare/worked ground or green grass | ||
| Have a tractor with front end loader or digger on site while burning | ||
| The fire must be lit with a positive wind away from any danger area | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| Notify neighbours on the day of burning prior to lighting up | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Land clearing | ||
| Definition: an area of broadcast vegetation (standing or felled), possibly mixed fuel types and may be sprayed or unsprayed for the purpose of land preparation. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
A prescribed burning plan may be required prior to a fire permit being issued. All conditions noted in the prescribed burning plan must be met. |
| The fire must be lit with a positive wind away from any danger area | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| Obtain a long range weather forecast with no strong winds forecast for the following 48 hours while burning | ||
| Maintain clear area of 30 metres free of any combustible material around perimeter of burn site of either bare/worked ground or green grass | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| The fire is to be regularly patrolled until it is out | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Notify neighbours on the day of burning prior to lighting up | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Stubble | ||
| Definition: residue from harvested crop. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
The field to be burned is to be turned over to bare earth to a width of at least 4 metres around its perimeter to provide an effective firebreak |
| Notify neighbours on the day of burning prior to lighting up | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| The fire is not to be lit before 1.00 pm | ||
| The fire is to be patrolled and not left unattended until it is out | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Burning of sprayed light fuels | ||
| Definition: sprayed light/flashy material such as rushes/cuty grass over an area which requires more specific burning conditions than general land-clearing or stubble. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
Maintain a fire break of either worked ground or green grass to a width of at least 4 metres around the perimeter |
| Notify neighbours on the day of burning prior to lighting up | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| The fire must be lit with a positive wind away from any danger area | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| The fire is to be patrolled and not left unattended until it is out | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Hill and High Country land clearing | ||
| Definition: areas of vegetation in hill and high country zones as managed by Environment Southland. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
Obtain any relevant resource consent(s) for areas which may require consents and or permission for burning from local regional council and/or LINZ |
| A prescribed burning plan may be required prior to a fire permit being issued. All conditions noted in the prescribed burning plan must be met. | ||
| Sufficient manpower onsite for light up activities and to control any spread of fire | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| Obtain a long range weather forecast with no strong winds forecast for the following 48 hours while burning | ||
| A water supply and other resources sufficient to control any spread of fire must be available during burning | ||
| The fire is not to be lit before 1.00 pm | ||
| The fire is to be patrolled and not left unattended until it is out | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
| Burning of Standing Structures | ||
| Definition: disposal of standing structures by burning. | No Exemption Fire Permit Required in all areas during a restricted fire season. |
Obtain any relevant resource consent(s) and demolition permit(s) from Environment Southland and local territorial authority |
| Adequate water supplies onsite to control any spread of fire | ||
| Maintain clear area free of any combustible material of 30 metres unless specified otherwise | ||
| Fire is not to be lit during period of high winds or periods of high fire danger | ||
| Permittee shall only be that of the New Zealand Fire Service or Southern Rural Fire Authority on behalf of the property owner | ||
| No burning in wind above 15 km/hr or 11 km/hr if within 100 metres of tussock or sprayed grass or 5 km/hr if within 100 metres of scrub or Wetland areas | ||
| All fire to be extinguished by fire permit expiry | ||
| Read and comply with the "Standard Burning Conditions" attached | ||
Is an inspection required?
When deciding if a fire permit inspection is required, the inspecting officer will consider:
Must be inspected
- Where permittees may be uncertain / inexperienced or request an inspection.
- Properties with known historical fire issues / fire escapes.
- All properties which are likely to have continuous fuels to or boundary any area of high risk or value such as wetland areas, conservation areas, forest areas or other properties.
- Any areas where an inspection is mandatory prior to any permit being issued.
- High country areas which may require resource consent for burning / additional planning or advice to achieve a safe burn.
- Any significant fire activities within 2km of populated areas (trigger for requiring resource consent for smoke discharge from Environment Southland).
- Unable to verify location(s) on property where burn is to take place with areas of high risk or high value in close proximity to property.
May require inspection
- Properties within Zone B areas.
- When fire weather indices are high and the type of fire is likely to ‘hold over’ for a period of time (ie windrows / heaps etc).
- Any high tension power lines in the area which could be affected by smoke.
- Any burning in areas that may require resource consent in Environment Southland or Otago Regional Council high country burning areas Environment Southland or Otago Regional Council must be notified and a joint inspection arranged.
- Location of DOC land or forest owners to proposed burn. You may need to contact DOC or forest owners to have a joint inspection.
- Where burn is close to populated areas and likely to produce large quantities of smoke, you may need to contact Environment Southland or Otago Regional Council and/or the local territorial authority environmental health for a joint inspection.
Fires which may require Resource Consent before Permit Issue
Environment Southland has statutory requirements under the Resource Management Act, Air Quality Plan and SCB Bylaw No. 1 1955, and Rule 4.4.2 S1 in the Southland Regional Council Transitional Plan which require resource consent for burning within particular areas. Southland District Council also statutory requirements under the SDC District Plan Rule HER.3 - Indigenous Flora and Fauna which may require additional resource consent.
Triggers for resource consents include:
Air Quality Plan:
- The deliberate burning of buildings or other structures, which have a floor area of 50 metres or larger.
- Burning of tyres or scrap automobile components containing plastic.
- Where greater than 500kg of offal is being burnt at one time.
- Burning of incinerators within urban districts.
- The discharge of contaminants to air from the burning of vegetation for land clearance and forestry purposes is a permitted activity providing all adjoining landowners or occupiers who are within 2km of the perimeter of the burn site are notified in advance of any burning.
- The discharge of contaminants to air from the burning of vegetation for tillage purposes is a permitted activity providing all adjoining landowners or occupiers who are also within 1km of the perimeter of the burn are notified in advance of any burning.
- Burning of oil only for the purposes of fire training to put out fires does not require resource consents under RMA.
SCB Bylaw No. 1 1955, and Rule 4.4.2 S1 in the Southland Regional Council Transitional Plan (high country burning zones):
- Refer to Environment Southland high country burning zones in fire permit system.
- ES Zone A areas requires a resource consent to burn at any time of the year.
- ES Zone B areas require resource consent for burning 30 September - 30 April.
- ES Zone C No consent required.
If in any doubt as to requirements for resource consent contact Environment Southland.
SDC District Plan Rule HER.3 – Indigenous Flora and Fauna:
- The clearance or modification of indigenous grass lands where the percentage canopy of tussock species is greater than 50%.
- The clearance, modification or destruction of indigenous vegetation which has grown naturally on land cleared of vegetation greater than 15 years prior to the plan becoming operative.
If in any doubt as to requirements for resource consent contact Southland District Council planning section for further advice.