Fires

Being responsible with fire in the outdoors

Campfires have been part of the outdoors for a long time. However, they can cause lasting impacts and devastate forests, natural habitats and farmland. Where fires are permitted and appropriate, their impact should be minimised – for example, by using designated fireplaces, burning only dead wood, and ensuring that any fires are fully extinguished before leaving.

Fires are the responsibility of the people who light them. The cost of fighting out-of-control fires on rural lands can be passed on to the landowner or the person who caused the fire.

Limit outdoor fire risk 

• Be aware of fire bans and the higher fire risk during summer.
• Do not light fires without permission.
• You may need a permit for your fire.
• Keep fires small and efficient.
• Use existing fireplaces if possible.
• Use only dead wood. Select wood from riverbeds or areas where wood is plentiful.
• Never leave fires unattended.
• Make sure the fire is completely out by dousing it with water and checking that the ashes are cold.
• Dismantle the fire site and scatter unburnt wood before leaving the area.

Can I light a fire? (Fire and Emergency)

Fire seasons and fire permits

In New Zealand, there are three rural fire seasons:

1. Open Fire Season: no fire permit is needed to light a fire in the open air
2. Restricted Fire Season: a fire permit from the relevant Rural Fire Authority is required to light a fire in the open air. Failure to obtain a permit for a fire is an offence, and
3. Prohibited Fire Season: a total fire ban. Lighting fires is not permitted in the open air.

Rural Fire Officers may restrict all access to certain areas during extreme fire risk.

Changes to fire seasons are notified by radio announcements, newspaper advertisements, and on websites, or information is available directly from the relevant Rural Fire Authority. When restricted or prohibited fire seasons are in place, the Rural Fire Authority may also erect signs in the affected area.

Landholder liability

A landholder is not generally liable for suppression costs if someone else starts a fire on their land, even in cases where the responsible person cannot be located. 

Suppression costs are only part of the potential losses that a rural fire can impose. There is also the possibility of loss of property, crops, or even human life. No matter how small the risk is, fires can have severe consequences. This is why many landholders will ban fires on their property.