Wellington region under restricted fire season

Neighbourly.co.nz

A restricted fire season is in place for Wellington, with people requiring a fire permit if they wish to light an outdoor fire.

The prohibited fire season came into effect at 9am Monday and covers multiple areas in the region. If you are in Wairarapa/Tararua distrcict then a PROHIBITED fire season still remains.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Craig Cottrill says permit holders should follow the instructions provided carefully.

"The dry vegetation acts as fuel for a wildfire, meaning if a wildfire did start it could spread very quickly... We’ve seen this with a few vegetation fires in the area recently, including one in Makara earlier this month where firefighters and helicopters worked hard over two days to put it out," he says.

What you need to know:
- The restrictions cover the following areas: Kāpiti Coast, Porirua, Wellington City and the Hutt Valley.
- You cannot light an outdoor fire unless you have a permit.
- Gas and charcoal barbecues are permitted.
- Individuals that operate heavy machinery are advised to exercise caution when out in dry terrain. Fire crews advise to undertake work in cooler temperatures and in minimal wind.

To find out more about outdoor fire safety, please go to Fire and Emergency New Zealand's (FENZ) website by clicking the button below.