Rangitikei District Council

Areas within the 3km Coastal Margin

The Rangitikei District has an all year round Restricted Fire Season for anyone wishing to light a fire within 3km of the Coastal Margin, if you wish to light a fire within this area you must first obtain a Fire Permit by contacting council on 06 327 0099. 

Areas outside the 3km Coastal Margin

All fires should only be carried out during daylight hours; a minimum of a 5 metre fire break should be created around the material to be burnt.  Fires must be a minimum of 5 metres from buildings, the boundary and other combustible material. Do not light in windy conditions. Ensure that you are equipped to extinguish the fire should the fire get out of control. Fires are to be supervised at all times. Ensure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving the site.

For significant fires please advise Fire Communications on 04 801 0812.

Under the Fire Service Act the cost of fighting a fire in an urban area by the Fire Service is mostly funded by a fire levy on building insurance, but the rules in rural areas are different.  Landowners need to be aware that the cost of fighting vegetation fires on rural lands can be passed on to the landowner, or the person who caused the fire.

Landowners can contact the Council on 06 327 0099 for advice as required.

Current Fire Season: OPEN as of midnight Friday 11th February 2011.

All land within the Horowhenua, Manawatu, and Rangitikei District Councils and Palmerston North City Council, excluding any land within 3km coastal buffer from the west coast, and any State Areas including 1 km fire safety margins where applicable.  

There are three fire seasons you should be aware of:

	Open Fire Season - means no fire permit is needed to light a fire in open air.
	Restricted Fire Season - means a fire permit from the relevant fire authority is required to light a fire in the open air.
	Prohibited Fire Season - means a total fire ban. Lighting of fires not permitted in the open air.