Two rural fires in Otago and Southland yesterday have prompted Otago Regional Council (ORC) to remind rural and peri-urban communities to prepare carefully for any intended burnoffs.

ORC compliance manager Carlo Bell said many parts of inland Otago are tinder dry at present and pose a heightened fire risk.

“Because Otago is very dry in many places, the ORC is urging people to check weather forecasts and take great care around any permitted or lawful property burn-offs they are intending,” he said.

People need to check the fire season status for their part of Otago and have any permits from Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) as well as meeting ORC's rules.

The Queenstown Lakes zone (which the Upper Clutha is part of) is under a restricted fire zone so permits are required for any burn.

Carlo said the MetService forecast for Central Otago for the next week suggests dry conditions would likely persist.

“This should remind people to be extra careful around all outdoor fires, be it burnoffs or smaller outdoor fires, and when using machinery in dry areas, such as mowers or farm machinery,” he said.

Carlo said there were six complaints to ORC’s Pollution Hotline yesterday from the Queenstown area relating to a fire in Kingston, which resulted in a large smoke haze around Queenstown.

There was a second vegetation fire across about two hectares at Mount Pisa between Wānaka and Cromwell, also attended by FENZ.

“We’re urging people to go through the following list as they formulate plans,” Carlo said.

If burning permitted material is the only option, people should reduce smoke and burn safely and considerately: 

• Burn as far from your property boundary as possible
• Check the wind is predicted to be away from built-up areas for the duration of the fire
• Postpone the lighting of the fire if there's already smoke from other fires in the air
• Make smaller fires
• Use dry fuel and stack it loosely
• Don't let the fire smoulder
• Avoid burning in the early morning or late afternoon/evening (breezier daytime conditions help to disperse the smoke)
• Avoid burning when there is an inversion layer
• Be prepared to put the fire out if conditions change or you discover that you are causing a nuisance
• Ensure burning on the property is permitted under the Air Plan
• Check the fire season status and have FENZ permission as needed.

Outdoor fires – such as a brazier, a controlled rural burn-off, or a hangi – must comply with Otago Air Plan rules. Having a permit from FENZ does not necessarily mean the burning is permitted under Otago Air Plan rules, Carlo said.

Before you light a fire, check your plan at checkitsalright.nz and get a permit if you need one. You must also follow the Otago Air Plan rules for what you can burn and where the fire is.

If people observe pollution to water, air, or land in Otago, call the ORC’s Pollution Hotline (which is staffed 24/7) on 0800 800 033 to report it.

PHOTO: Supplied