Fires
Fire restrictions | Complaints
and fire emergencies | Alternatives for rubbish
disposal
Fire restrictions
Backyard fires
Auckland and urban Waiheke
Outdoor burning and the use of single chamber incinerators are a major source
of pollution in the Auckland region. When materials are burnt in the open or in
backyard incinerators the fire is not hot enough, and does not have sufficient
oxygen, to destroy air pollutants.
As well as producing harmful pollutants, open fires and fires in unapproved
incinerators can at best be a real nuisance to neighbours (odour, smoke, ash,
and soiling of surfaces). At worst they are dangerous to property and people.
Auckland Regional Council rules mean that in most situations the outdoor
burning of rubbish and garden waste in urban areas is an offence, even if it is
in an incinerator.
Great Barrier Island and rural Waiheke
In rural areas of Waiheke, you must have a fire permit to light a fire on your
property and you will need to extinguish the fire by 4.00pm while there is still
enough light to monitor it. Contact us
for more information.
Fires are restricted on Great Barrier Island all year round. If you wish to light
any type of fire you must apply for a fire permit. These are issued free of
charge from the Great Barrier Island
service centre.
Outdoor cooking and heating
Outdoor fires for heating or cooking like hangis or brazier fires are
allowed, but must be in conditions where any smoke, ash or other discharge to
air is not a nuisance to neighbours or noxious. These fires can generally be burned without further
permission with the exception of hangis and umus on Waiheke or Great Barrier
islands. You will need a permit in these areas, these are issued free of charge. Contact
us for more information.
You do not require permission for a hangi or umu within the Auckland isthmus.
To ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe summer we recommend that you
- have a garden hose handy in case of emergencies
- keep matches and lighters out of children's reach
- develop and practise household escape plans with your family or
flatmates
- isolate flammable liquids
- let your neighbours know if you're having a hangi, umu or barbeque
- be cautious with candles and mosquito coils
- do not throw cigarette butts or matches into vegetation
- use dry wood and paper only for lighting the fire - rubbish is not
acceptable
- have the Hangi or Umu at least three metres from any boundary
or building to minimise smoke nuisance and decrease fire
risk
To help make your hangi or umu a success you will also need to consider the
following
- part 3.6 of
Auckland City's Consolidated Bylaw requires that no animals used for
the hangi, umu or barbeque be killed or gutted on site
- remove rubbish from the site immediately afterwards and
dispose of it carefully.
- store leftover food scraps in a container/bin with a
cover until rubbish day.
- do not bury meat or vegetable scraps as this could attract
rats and dogs both of which carry infectious diseases
Commercial and industrial fires
Contact
us for information about burning rubbish on industrial or commercial sites
eg what can be burnt and how.
A number of trade and industrial processes create discharge into the air
and may require consent or permission from Auckland Regional Council. More
information about the rules for trade and industrial discharges into the air and
the burning of waste is available by visiting Auckland Regional Council's
website www.arc.govt.nz/environment/air/
The fine for an illegal fire for trade or industrial premise is $1000.00.
Fines can be issued by either Auckland Regional Council or Auckland City.
Fires in public places
It is illegal to have a fire in any public place in Auckland City, including
beaches, parks, reserves and forests. This rule also applies to the Hauraki Gulf
islands where people often mistakenly believe fires are safe.
