Can you light a fire?
To check the current fire status in your area and to find out if you need a permit, visit Fire and Emergency New Zealand’s website checkitsalright.nz »
Fire and Emergency New Zealand - Fire Permits
Whakatāne District Council no longer processes fire permit applications. This is now the responsibility of Fire and Emergency New Zealand.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand encourages you to get a fire permit before lighting any fire in a rural area.
If you start a fire that gets out of control and damages someone else's property, you're responsible for the cost of repairing any damage. Before lighting any fire, always consider your neighbours and check the current weather conditions.
Outdoor fires, apart from gas barbecues, will require a permit during a Restricted Fire Season.
When do I need a fire permit?
Open air fires are managed by Fire and Emergency New Zealand. Before lighting a fire go to checkitsalright.nz to see if you can light a fire and if you need a permit you can link from there to the permit application site.
However, even if you have a permit you are still responsible for a fire that spreads and causes damage. A Fire Permit is not a legal defence against claims for damage caused by a fire.
Reporting dangerous fires
If you see smoke or fire, and you think it looks threatening, dial 111 for the fire service.
Find out more
For more information on what you can and cannot burn, see Bay of Plenty Regional Council's Smoke Sense brochure - (PDF, 67 KB).