Fire restrictions imposed for rural and urban areas

A combination of warm temperatures and the lack of rain has prompted fire restrictions for rural Christchurch, and a ban on outdoor fires in the urban fire district.

Christchurch City Council Rural Fire Manager Murray Sinclair says that permits are now needed to light any type of outdoor fire other than a barbeque in the Christchurch Rural Fire District area, which includes Banks Peninsula.

There is also a ban on all outdoor burning in the Urban Fire District until further notice, except for hangis, barbeques and umus. These are allowed if they are adequately supervised and there is a pressurised water supply immediately at hand.

People wanting a permit can call the Christchurch City Council Call-Centre on 941 8999, or 0800 800 169 for Banks Peninsula residents. Permits take up to three days to process, and a Rural Fire Officer visits the site of the proposed burn before a permit is granted.

Mr Sinclair has four tips for anyone who has had or is planning a fire in the restricted areas:

• Check all old fires to make sure they are fully out - dig them up and douse them if needed, but only if conditions are safe

• Get adequate insurance - the Council will seek costs from anyone causing a fire that needs a call-out

• Before lighting the fire, check the weather for that day and every day thereafter and comply with the conditions of your fire permit.

• If in doubt, check with the Council before lighting any outdoor fire.

Check the Urban Fire District maps to find out if your property is within a restricted fire area.

See also the Fire Restriction Notice that comes into force from midnight Sunday 29 November 2015.

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