Rural Fire

Hurunui District Council Rural Fire Authority has obligations under the Rural Fires Act 1977 to promote prevention detection control and restriction of fire in its rural area.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR STUBBLE BURNING

Before Lighting

1. Ensure that a continuous non-combustible fire break of not less than 10 metres exists or has been established around the area to be burnt.
2. A supply of water, and means of delivery, adequate to control the fire, must be on hand at all times during a crop residue fire. It is recommended that a high pressure spray unit and knapsacks be on site. It is also advisable that other fire fighting equipment, eg tractor, cultivator, grubber, beaters, fire extinguishers etc are also available on site.
3. There must be a minimum of two adults on hand at all times during the fire
4. Ensure that those assisting are adequately dressed and briefed on safety aspects.
5. Ensure there is a suitable means of communication on site to enable notification to emergency services should they be required.
6. Notify immediate neighbours, (landowners/occupiers), and those who are likely to be affected by smoke drift, of the intention to light a fire.
7. A weather forecast must be obtained for the burn area. Weather forecasts are available by ringing NZ Met Service, 0900 999 25, Canterbury Plains; or 0900 999 26, Canterbury High Country.
8. Good fire management practices must be observed at all times. No fire shall be lit when a strong wind is forecast or is blowing, or when conditions are such that the fire is likely to spread beyond the limits of the area for which the permit was issued. The maximum allowable wind speed is 19kph (Beaufort 3), leaves and small twigs in constant motion; light flags extended.
9. Before lighting any fire, regard must be given to the provisions of the Resource Management Act, in particular clean air and smoke nuisance issues. The appropriate authority should be contacted for advice.
10. Before lighting any fire, regard must be given to road user safety in particular smoke hazard across roadways. The appropriate roading authority should be contacted for advice.

Lighting, During and After the Fire

1. Burning out is considered a good fire management practice and should be encouraged at all times. Initial light-up must commence across the downwind end of the paddock allowing the fire to back into the wind, thus extending the fire break width. Lighting should then progress to the fire edges, moving towards the upwind end and finishing off across this end.
2. Remain in attendance until the fire is completely out or cannot spread, as re-ignition of a controlled burn can occur some time later, after a wind change. Always check both the fire ground and surrounding area after a strong or sudden wind change. 
3. Check to ensure all fire edges are safe. Rake out if necessary. 
4. Immediately following the burn, it is recommended that the fire-break and adjacent burnt area and windrow be cultivated to minimise the risk of re-ignition. 
5. Check the surrounding area for outbreaks of fire. 
6. The Rural Fire Authorities of the region reserve the right to take prosecutions against a person or persons lighting fires that breach these conditions (or other conditions imposed by the Fire Authority), lighting fires in inappropriate conditions or with inadequate fire-breaks.

Good Management Practice

1. Formulate a 'burn plan' and inform immediate neighbours likely to be affected by fire escape or smoke, of the date and time of the fire. Have an action plan in the event of the fire escaping.
2. Regularly check machinery for possible build-up of straw and/or other combustible material around manifolds and exhausts. Carry a fire extinguisher.
3. All crop residue fires, once lit, must be supervised at all times until out.
4. Seek advice on safe burning practices from the Rural Fire Authority if there is any doubt regarding its interpretation or the safe execution of the burn.
5. Permittees are advised that Rural Fire Authorities have a policy of fire suppression cost recovery wherever possible. It is recommended that the permit holder have adequate public liability insurance that includes Forest and Rural Fires Act fire suppression cover.

Hill and High Country Burning

For the Landholder: Land and Vegetation Management, Environment Canterbury Regional Plan, Part IV

Burning vegetation in Canterbury Region is a permitted activity (this means that no resource consent is required) provided that conditions are met.

Hill and High Country Means: Land more than 20 degrees in slope or more than 600 metres above sea level. 

• Do you burn areas more than one hectare?
• Do you burn areas of vegetation in wetlands?
• Is the slope of land on which you intend to burn more than 20 degrees?
• Is the land more than 600 metres above sea level?

If you answer YES to any of the above and your burning falls within the conditions described in the following brochure then your burning is a permitted activity and you will not need a resource consent.  Resource consent is required if your burning falls outside of these conditions.

Please read the brochure for more information.

Fire Season: