Total Fire Ban
A Total Fire Ban is now in place across the Coromandel Peninsula.
The Total Fire Ban season will run until Monday 8 February 2010 (inclusive). The Total Fire ban period may also be extended subject to Fire Danger Ratings at that time.
Where?
The Total Fire Ban covers all the rural land within the Thames-Coromandel District including Department of Conservation lands, the forest areas owned by Ernslaw, Matariki Forests and New Zealand Super Fund.
It also applies to Thames-Coromandel District off-shore islands, reserves, beaches and part of the Hauraki Coastal District including Whiritoa and just north of Waihi Beach.
No permits will be issued for fires in the open air.
Pyrotechnic displays
Requests for fire permits by commercial organisations to hold outdoor pyrotechnic displays during the Total Fire Ban season must be made to Principal Rural Fire Officer Del Read.
BBQs and incinerators
The fire ban does not apply to gas-fired barbecues and at this stage does not apply to solid-fuel proprietary barbecues, solid-fueled permanent brick/concrete barbecues and fires in concrete or brick incinerators that are fitted with spark-arrestors, but please take the following precautions:
1 Be at least 5m from buildings, timber fences, trees or other combustible material.
2 Do not light during strong winds
3 A pressure water hose must be available nearby
4 Make sure an adult is supervising
5 Totally extinguish the fire when finished.
Should weather conditions cause the fire risk to increase to an unacceptable level, solid-fuelled barbeques and incinerator fires may need to be more strictly controlled.
Hangi and Umu
Hangi or umu are allowed, provided they are in an enclosed pit and the same safety precautions (listed above) are followed.
Report smoke
If you see any smoke coming from a rural property while you’re driving around the peninsula this summer, please call 111. If the fire is permitted, the operator may already know and that’s fine - but if not, your call may save some of our valuable forest areas and maybe even someone’s life!
For more fire ban information call 07 868 0200
To report a fire, call 111.
For rural areas - a few tips
- Keep the grass green, mown, or grazed around your home
- Ensure that your property is easily identified
- Keep a hose connected (one that can reach round the house)
- Ensure that your driveway has at least 4 metres clearance (both width and height) and adequate turn round area for large vehicles
- Ensure that water supplies are accessible and clearly marked
- Ensure easy access to water supplies and make sure they are signposted
- Live in a safety zone by ensuring any dead or flammable plants and trees are removed and replaced with low flammable species
- Store firewood and other flammable materials away from the house
- Isolate flammable liquids
- Maintain machinery and equipment in safe working order
- Dispose of ash safely in a metal container and use approved incinerators
- Install multipurpose dry powder extinguishers in the house and outbuildings
Exessive smoke or smells
Excessive smoke or smells may result in action being taken under the Resource Management Act.
Fire Restrictions/Bans
The lighting of any fire during a total fire ban may result in prosecution and/or the property owner facing costs to extinguish the fire.
Escape Plan
All householders are encouraged to develop their own escape plans, in the event of a fire in the home.
Should you require information, contact the New Zealand Fire Service.
For more information regarding any matters relating to Fire Safety and or Fire Prevention, contact us on 07 868 0200 or email us at customerservices@tcdc.govt.nz.