Rural Fire Service Notice

With the official rural fire season having begun on October 1, rural fire officers throughout the region are encouraging rural residents to burn their piles of tree trimmings and general farming rubbish now.

"With the potential for a very hot dry summer due to the extreme El Nino predicted, it is expected that a lot of this area will be dryer than normal and could be in a Prohibited Fire Season by the beginning to mid-December," Principal Rural Fire Officer, Paul Chaffe said. “We are asking people to consider burning their rubbish as soon as possible while the risk of fire spread is lower and while the area is still in an Open Fire Season.”

Concerns over burning piles does not necessarily involve the contents of what is being burned as a fire creates convection currents and embers can travel up to 1km away which can create a risk of starting fires in drier grounds. Burning piles now means the ground is still damp and there are fewer fire risks.

“We ask that you make sure you are not in an area that has a Fire By Permit restriction throughout the year and if you have any doubt or concerns about lighting any fires please contact your local council’s Rural Fire Officer who is more than willing to give advice or if required look into a fire permit for your area,” Paul said.

The advice of your local Rural Fire Officers is a free service and it is advised those who have concerns or inquiries to please call them.

If you light fires, please keep in mind that these should not cause a smoke nuisance to road traffic as well as neighbouring properties, ensure someone remains on site at all times and consider some means of being able to extinguish the fire if it gets out of control. Avoid burning your piles after dark to ensure you are not out all night looking after the fire and as a courtesy to the public not thinking it is something more serious.

The Met Service is forecasting a dry summer season, so all local authorities as well as the public need to be on high alert. We encourage residents to burn their piles before the end of October.

General rules for burning

• Check the fire season status with council before you burn
• Have a 3m fire break completely surrounding the fire
• Be no closer than 5m to a boundary fence
• Don’t light in Windy conditions
• Have some way to put the fire out
• Supervise your fire until it is out.