News
Total fire ban over Southland Rural Fire District
Posted on 5 January 2012A total fire ban for all of Southland and parts of the Clutha District covered by the Southern Rural Fire Authority will be in place from 8am today (Thursday 5 January). The ban means that no one can light any fires in the open and also suspends all existing fire permits. Principal rural fire officer Mike Grant said people with large piles of debris still burning should put these out immediately. "The only exception to the ban is for gas barbecues and cookers in properly constructed containers and in safe areas," Mr Grant said...Read more.
Restricted Fire Season declared
Posted on 9 December 2011A restricted fire season for the whole of the Southern Rural Fire District is to be declared tomorrow (Saturday 10 December) because of the increasing risk of fire...Read more.
First Word
Posted on 28 November 2011Chief Executive of Southern Rural Fire Authority Mike Grant was recently interviewed on First Word, Southland District Council's radio programme broadcast on Radio Southland 96.4FM. Mr Grant spoke about the role of the Southern Rural Fire Authority and fire safety in the lead up to the summer season...Read more.
Introducing Sally Chesterfield
Posted on 19 October 2011Sally Chesterfield is the Southern Rural Fire Authority's new Community and Education Coordinator. Her role is to raise public awareness around fire and engage the community in active discussion about the importance of fire prevention in their area. Ms Chesterfield will be supporting existing rural communities and building relationships with those who use fire in Southland...Read more.
Southern Rural Fire Authority 2011 Awards Ceremony
Posted on 19 October 2011The inaugural Southern Rural Fire Authority 2011 Awards Ceremony was held recently in Winton, recognising the hard work and commitment from rural fire fighters and volunteers involved in the fire force. ..Read more.
Official opening of the Waikawa fire depot
Posted on 19 October 2011The official opening of the Waikawa fire depot took place recently, providing the community with an opportunity to visit the depot and recognise the work carried out by the voluntary fire force...Read more.
Rural Fire Authority chief at conference in South Africa
Posted on 23 June 2011Chief Executive and Principal Rural Fire Officer Mike Grant recently returned from a trip to South Africa where he was one of the delegates from 72 countries attending the 2011 Wildfire Conference at Sun City...Read more.
New roles at the Southern Rural Fire Authority
Posted on 23 June 2011Elton Smith is the new Operations Co-ordinator for the Southern Rural Fire Authority, after a restructure...Read more.
Blackmount depot opened
Posted on 28 March 2011The new rural firefighters' depot at Blackmount was opened on Saturday 12 February. Southern Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Mike Grant said the purpose built building, which has cost about $160,000, was opened by Southland District Council councillor George Harpur and Tuatapere Community Board chair Gray Robertson...Read more.
Fire on southern coast under control
Posted on 17 January 2011Fire crews have several fires under control around the area of a fire which destroyed part of Rarakau Lodge near Tuatapere on Saturday night...Read more.
Fire ban to be lifted
Posted on 10 January 2011The total fire ban covering the Southern Rural Fire District, excluding the Naseby area, is to be lifted on Monday at 9am after this week's rain eased the fire danger...Read more.
Total Fire Ban declared
Posted on 20 December 2010A total fire ban is in place for all of Southland and parts of the Clutha District covered by the Southern Rural Fire District from 8am tomorrow (Saturday 18 December)...Read more.
New building for Blackmount Rural Fire
Posted on 16 June 2010Blackmount rural fire fighters will soon have a new home...Read more.
Survey results pleasing
Posted on 11 June 2010Southern people using the Southern Rural Fire Authority permitting system are generally very happy with the permit process, a survey has shown...Read more.
New Fire Depot for Blackmount VRFF
Posted on 28 April 2010The Southern RFA has raised funding to build a new fire depot for the Blackmount VRFF firefighters and medical responders. Work is underway with the majority of structural and construction work scheduled to be completed by 30 June 2010...Read more.
Training
Posted on 28 April 2010Volunteers from throughout the Southern RFA took part in a practical building fire fighting training course on 24 April 2010. NZ Fire Service trainers ran the training which included burning a derelict house in a forest. Personnel attended from the following Volunteer Rural Fire Forces; Milford Sound, Blackmount, Hedgehope, Drummond, Athol, Beaumont and Garston...Read more.
Fire Restrictions Lifted
Posted on 28 April 2010The Southern RFA lifted fire restrictions for Zone A across the rural fire district on Wednesday 28 April 2010. Zone B remains in a Restricted Fire Season and Naseby Zone in a Prohibited Fire Season in conjunction with Central Otago DC and DOC Otago...Read more.