You can no longer have an open fire on an urban property. Exceptions to this rule include braziers, BBQs, pizza ovens, smokers, umu and hangi. Find out more about authorised fire types and conditions of use in a restricted fire season. 

An urban property is defined as a property less than 2ha in size and connected to municipal wastewater.

Find out more about rules on backyard burning - (PDF, 569 KB)

Rural Fire Forces

Fire and Emergency New Zealand manages the rural fire forces.

If you think you’d like to become a rural fire volunteer, we would love to hear from you. Please contact Fire and Emergency New Zealand »

Fires in public reserves, including beaches

No fire is to be lit on any reserve or beach without a fire permit or written consent from Pumicelands Fire and Emergency New Zealand. For more information about lighting fires on beaches in the Whakatāne District, download the Information Sheet below. 

Beach Fires Information Sheet - (PDF, 227 KB)

Fire authority boundaries

This map shows the fire authority boundaries in the Bay of Plenty Region.

Rural Fire Authority Boundaries Map - (PDF, 823 KB)