Notice is hereby given pursuant to Section 22 of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 and the Waikato District Council Open Air Bylaw 2012, that a RESTRICTED FIRE SEASON will be imposed in areas under the jurisdiction of the WAIKATO DISTRICT COUNCIL Rural Fire Authority (except for territory under control of the Department of Conservation).
This Order shall come into force effective from midnight, Saturday 19 December, and shall continue in force until revoked by a further notice. No fire may be lit out in the open during the Restricted Fire Season without a ‘Fire Permit’ having first been issued by the Waikato District Council.
Gas fuelled barbecues or similar outdoor gas appliances do not require a Fire Permit.
Fires must not be left unattended until completely extinguished and must not be lit in windy conditions or close to flammable material or buildings.
Application for Fire Permits can be made on line at www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz. A minimum of five working days’ notice is required to process a fire permit in order to allow sufficient time to schedule site inspection should it be necessary.
Fire Restrictions apply all year round for the Mangatawhiri swamp area between SH 2 and the Maramarua River and all Department of Conservation land. A continuous year round Prohibited Fire Season (total fire ban) is in force for the Waiuku Forest.
Please note that Council cannot issue Fire Permits for urban areas. FOR ALL FIRE EMERGENCIES PHONE 111 and quote your name and address or RAPID number in rural areas.
For further information on rural fire prevention matters please check Waikato District Council’s website www.waikatodistrict.govt.nz.
Gordon Bailey, Principal Rural Fire Officer, Waikato District Council
Andrew Baucke, Director Conservation Services, Northern North Island Region