Fire Permits

Sometimes a permit is required to light a fire in the open air. Permit requirements depend on the burn location and what the fire season is. There is no charge for a fire permit.

Fire permits are required during restricted fire seasons in all areas. When fire risks reach specified levels a total fire ban will be declared.

Marlborough South

The current fire season is: OPEN with the exception of the Marlborough South Special Fire Protection Zones shown below.

The boundary for Marlborough North and Marlborough South is the Wairau River and Wairau Diversion.

Fire seasons' status changes throughout the year. An open fire season is normally in place from 1 May through to 1 October (no permit required during this season).

A restricted season or total fire ban is put in place when the fire risk reaches specified levels. Marlborough District Council administers fire permits for this area. To apply for a permit during a restricted season contact the council Ph: 520 7400.

Marlborough South Special Fire Protection Zones

Permanent status of restricted fire season. A fire permit is required at all times before lighting a fire in the open air in these zones. Marlborough District Council administers fire permits for these zones. To apply for a permit contact the council Ph: 520 7400.

Zone 1 - Upper Wairau Valley
Zone 2 - Wairau Valley
Zone 4 - Wither Hills/Taylor Pass
Zone 11 - Sweetstream/Benhopai

Department of Conservation (DOC) Land and Within 1 km of any DOC Land

Permanent status of restricted fire season applies to all Department of Conservation land and includes a 1 km fire safety margin south of the Wairau River and south of the Wairau Diversion at all times.

When fire risks reach specified levels a total fire ban will be declared.

For all permits and fire administration on DOC land or within the fire safety margin you should contact Department of Conservation Renwick Office, Ph: 572 9100.

Marlborough North Rural

Permanent status of restricted fire season applies to rural land in North Marlborough. A fire permit is required at all times before lighting a fire in the open air in this area. The boundary for Marlborough North and Marlborough South is the Wairau River and Wairau Diversion. The Marlborough North Rural Fire Committee administers fire permits for this area. To apply for a permit during restricted season contact the Principal Rural Fire Officer at the Department of Conservation, Picton Office Ph: 520 3002 or Marlborough District Council Ph: 520 7400 who will be able to forward on to the appropriate fire officer.

Marlborough North Urban

A fire permit is required in Picton and Havelock during restricted fire season. The Marlborough North Rural Fire Committee administers fire permits for these areas. To apply for a permit during restricted season contact the Principal Rural Fire Officer at the Department of Conservation, Picton office Ph: 520 3002 or Marlborough District Council Ph: 520 7400 who will be able to forward on to the appropriate fire officer.

Fire Seasons

There are three different types of fire seasons:

Open fire season
This means that a fire permit is not required to light a fire in the open air.
Restricted fire season
This means that a fire permit is required at all times before lighting a fire in the open air.
Total Fire Ban
This means that the lighting of all fires is totally banned in both rural and urban areas.

Conditions for Granting a Fire Permit

If you think you will need a fire permit ask early; do not wait until the day you want to light the fire. To issue a fire permit the fire authority will first inspect the site, to assess the threats and establish the conditions required to go on the fire permit. Once the fire permit has been issued it must be signed by the fire authority before the burn can proceed. Most fire permits are issued for a period which allows time to get the right conditions to complete the burn. There is no need to wait until the las minute before applying for a fire permit.

The decision whether to issue a fire permit will be based on the following factors:

(a) Fire ground conditions (Note: They are subject to the type and size of fire proposed in each case):

The current fire season status
Fire ground location, topography and vehicle accessibility
The type and size of fire proposed ie; garden, bonfire, general rubbish fire or large-scale land clearance, stubble or scrub burn-off etc
The fuel type, volume and combustibility
The fire ground's exposure to wind
prevailing weather conditions and long-term weather forecast
The location, size and condition of any fire breaks
The on-site availability of water, fire fighting and earthmoving equipment.

(b) The presence of potential fire hazards near the proposed fire ground:

Trees, scrub, gorse, grass
Buildings including houses, sheds, barns or other buildings
Stored animal fodder ie; haystacks
Overhead wired electrical and telephone services
Communication stations, structures or installations ie; television, cellphone or radio towers or buildings
Underground and/or aboveground gas or fuel storage installations.