Fire permits to be processed by Fire and Emergency not Council

The management and permitting of urban fires in open air has now formally transitioned to Fire and Emergency New Zealand. As at 1 July 2018 South Waikato District Council will no longer be processing urban fire permits.

"Rural fire management and permits transferred to Fire and Emergency last year, but Council retained the processing of urban fire permits for an interim period," explained Council's Emergency Manager Stuart Aston. "This has now formally been handed over to Fire and Emergency."

Both rural and urban fire permits can still be applied for via Council's website using the 'Apply for it' tab; from 1 July, the link will simply redirect to the Fire and Emergency website.

The application process is simple but people do need to remember that fire permits take about five days to process.

"Fire and Emergency will make a decision on changing the fire season to restricted or prohibited when the weather and other conditions heighten the fire risk," continued Mr Aston. "Fire permits are required once the open fire season is closed."

For more information visit the Fire and Emergency NZ website here.