Tauranga fire safety risk manager Bill Rackham (left) and Tauranga Moana Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Alan Pearce. Photo/Andrew Warner.
Tauranga fire safety risk manager Bill Rackham (left) and Tauranga Moana Rural Fire Authority principal fire officer Alan Pearce. Photo/Andrew Warner.
Recent rainfall has reduced the region's fire danger rating enough to allow Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority to begin re-issuing fire permits to the public.
From today, residents can apply for temporary fire permits but will not be issued with a season-long permit, principal rural fire officer Alan Pearcesaid.
A suspension on all fire permits had been in place for the past three weeks after continuous dry, hot weather raised fire danger levels in Tauranga City and the Western Bay to 'extreme'.
"The recent rain has alleviated the high risk of wildfires and we are again able to issue open air fire permits to the public, for the time being," Mr Pearce said.
Permits issued will vary with the type of fuel to be burned, he adds. For example, braziers, campfires, traditional cooking, garden and household garden rubbish fire permits will be granted for a period of four weeks maximum.
There will also be restrictions on the size of certain types of open air fires. Camp fires, garden and rubbish fires will be limited in size to a one by one metre footprint.
The restricted fire season will continue to April 30, 2015. The fire authority will assess the fire danger on a daily basis.
Mr Pearce said he was happy to discuss matters relating to the restricted fire season, and offer advice relating to rural burning practices. To contact the fire authority phone 07 571 8008.
