Permit Conditions

The below conditions are the conditions every fire permit will have. NB: Other conditions will be added as appropriate to your specific application.

  1. You must take adequate measures to control the fire and confine it to the burn area.
  2. A long range weather forecast must be obtained prior to lighting.
  3. No fire shall be lit when conditions are such or are predicted, (e.g. strong winds) that the fire is likely to spread. Fires should not be lit with a wind in excess of 15 kmh. Where there are significant areas of scrub and tussock adjacent to the area to be burned the maximum wind must not exceed 11 kmh. Use the Beaufort Wind Scale table as a guide, (table attached).
  4. You are advised that to reduce the risk of fires getting out of control, burning should be carried out in the afternoon (after 1pm by which time the wind pattern for the day is usually established).
  5. At the first indication of any adverse change in weather or other conditions which could move the fire out of the controlled area the fire is to be extinguished immediately.
  6. In the event of any fire moving outside the area, dial 111 and ask for a Fire Service response.
  7. Ensure that smoke does not create a nuisance to neighbouring properties and public roads.
  8. You are advised to contact the appropriate authority before lighting fires adjacent to power and telegraph installations.

Wind Specifications - Beaufort Wind Scale

Beaufort Wind Force Descriptive Term Km/h Observable Wind Effects
0 Calm < 1 No perceptible wind movement. Smoke rises vertically.
1 Very Light Air 1 to 5 Direction of wind shown by smoke drift but not by wind vanes.
2 Light Breeze 6 to 11 Wind felt on face; leaves rustle; ordinary vanes moved by wind.
3 Gentle Breeze 12 to 19 Leaves and small twigs in constant motion; wind extends light flags.
4 Moderate Breeze 20 to 29 Wind raises dust and loose paper; small branches are moved.
5 Fresh Breeze 30 to 39 Large branches and small trees in leaf begin to sway; crested wavelets form on inland waters.
6 Strong Breeze 40 to 49 Large branches in continuous motion; whistling heard in telegraph wires; umbrellas used with difficulty.
7 Near Gale 50 to 61 Whole trees in motion; inconvenience felt when walking against wind.
8 Gale 62 to 74 Breaks twigs and small branches off trees; generally impedes progress when walking against wind.
9 Strong Gale 75 to 87 Slight structural damage occurs (e.g. chimney bricks loosened, TV antennas and tiles blown off, broken branches litter ground).
10 Storm 89 to 101 Trees uprooted; considerable structural damage occurs.

Recommended Advice

  1. Recommended clothing to be worn for personnel involved with the fire is long sleeved cotton or woollen shirts and pants, laced-up leather boots and head protection. NO synthetic clothing is to be worn.
  2. ALWAYS have planned safe escape route away from the fire.
  3. It is the responsibility of any person lighting a fire to ensure that sufficient resources are on site to manage the fire and that the fire is contained at all times.
  4. A fire should not be lit unless public liability and fire suppression insurance is taken out.
  5. Liability for damage or fire suppression costs caused by any fire is the responsibility of the person lighting the fire.

Fire Permits can be applied for by phoning 0800 773 363.