You can no longer have an open fire within 100m of a neighbouring dwelling. 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.
Find out more about rules on backyard burning - (PDF, 181 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)