 Waitakere Rural Fire
What is Rural Fire?
Under the Forest and Rural Fires Act, any area of New Zealand that is not covered by a NZ Fire Service Fire District becomes a Rural Fire District. This includes certain forest areas, Department of Conservation owned land and Defence property. Outside the above defined properties the remaining areas become the responsibility of the local Council. This occurs in Waitakere City and therefore becomes the
Waitakere Rural Fire District.
The responsibility of the Waitakere City Council as the Rural Fire Authority is to prevent, control and suppress all fires within its Rural Fire District. |
Attacking a fire with a helicopter
and monsoon bucket |
The day-to-day management of Rural Fire is carried out by the Principal Rural Fire Officer through the Council’s
Emergency Management Section. This section is responsible for the management of the Rural Fire stations, equipment purchase, staff training, public awareness as well as the operational prevention, suppression and control of fires.
Fire Seasons
In the urban areas of Waitakere City, there are no specific fire seasons. In times of extreme fire risk, conditions may be imposed by the New Zealand Fire Service but in normal times the City’s bylaws govern the use of fire.
In the Waitakere Rural Fire District, in addition to the Council bylaws, there are three fire seasons throughout the year.
Open Fire Season
Fires may be lit in the open under the conditions detailed in the City’s Bylaw 6. The Open Fire Season is usually from 1 May to 30 November each year.
Restricted Fire Season
During the Restricted Fire Season, in addition to Bylaw 6 a permit is required to light any fire in the open air. The Restricted Fire Season is usually from 1 December to 30 April.
Prohibited Fire Season
A Prohibited Fire Season can be imposed at any time throughout the year during periods of extreme fire danger, and no fire of any description may be lit in the open air.
Note: The dates given are the usual dates of the seasons. This, however, does not prevent the declaration of a Restricted or Prohibited season at any time during the year if conditions warrant it.
Am I in the Rural Fire District?
As a general guide all of the area west of a line, described below, to the west coast is deemed to be within the Waitakere Rural Fire District and
fire permits are required in the
Restricted Season.
Rural Fire District Line
- Redhills Road
- Birdwood Road
- Swanson Road
- Candia Road
- Henderson Valley Road
- Parrs Cross Road
- West Coast Road
- Shaw Road
- Exhibition Drive
- Huia Road
- Shirley Road
If you live in this area you are in the Rural Fire District
and should be aware of the special conditions which are
placed on the use of fire in this area, both year round and at different times of the
year.
Contact us for more detailed
information.
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There are three urban districts within the Waitakere Rural Fire District (Huia, Piha and Waiatarua), however, a management agreement between the New Zealand Fire Service and the Waitakere Rural Fire Authority allows these districts to be treated in the same manner as the Rural District. This agreement covers the declaration of fire seasons, permit issues etc.
How do I get a Fire Permit?
To obtain a fire permit contact us Monday to Friday between 8.30am and 5pm. A site inspection by a Council Rural Fire Officer is required before any fire can be lit. Permits will not be issued outside of Council business hours.
Note: A lead-time of three (3) working days is required for the issuing of all permits.
To assist the Rural Fire Officer conducting the inspection, the following general conditions must be met before a permit will be issued:
- Fire must be supervised at all times
- Fire must be out by sunset each day
- Fire must be 10 metres from any structure
- Fire must be 3 metres from any boundary
- There must be a cleared area around the fire site
- There must be a means (water etc) present to control the fire
- The fire must not present a nuisance to others
There is no charge for the issue of fire permits.
Rural Fire Stations
| The Waitakere Rural Fire Authority operates three rural fire stations staffed by volunteer crews, both male and female, recruited from the local community.
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These fire stations are situated at:
- Lone Kauri Road, Karekare
- Bethells Road, Bethells Valley
- Township Road, Waitakere Village
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Waitakere Volunteer Fire Station |
The Auckland Regional Council ranger station at Arataki holds a Resource Fire Appliance at its base on the Scenic Drive. This unit is staffed by Auckland Regional Council rangers and is kept available for response into the Parklands area.
All stations employ standard New Zealand Fire Service communication and response equipment and respond by pager to all calls within their area and if required, throughout the district.
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Volunteer Rural Fire Fighters
The Waitakere Rural Fire Authority is always on the lookout for suitable men and women to join their Volunteer Fire Force units.
The rural fire stations are staffed by dedicated people who commit their time and considerable effort into ensuring that their neighbourhoods have the best protection from fire as possible.
All rural fire stations conduct weekly training sessions and crews are also expected to attend specialist training courses on weekends when required. Fundraising and community awareness programmes are part of the normal activities.
The knowledge and satisfaction of caring, in a very practical way, for your own community, of bringing help to your neighbours when they really need a hand, makes the commitment well worth while. It is a sometimes dangerous and dirty occupation, but working as part of a trained, disciplined team is something which few people nowadays have the opportunity to do.
If you would like to be a part of this organisation and feel you could commit the time and energy to the service, contact the
Principal Rural Fire Officer. |
Some of the local rural fire volunteers
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We require you to be:
- In good health
- Over 17 years old
- Located within a reasonable distance from a station
- Able to stand up to the rigours of service
- Willing to undergo the required training
- Able to work within a dedicated team
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates of the Fire Season?
The Fire Season is from 1 December through to 30 April. Anyone considering a fire in the Rural Fire District requires a permit during the Restricted Fire Season.
View information on the boundaries of the Rural Fire
District.
Do I need a permit to light a fire?
Yes, you need a permit to light a fire if you live within the
Rural Fire District and it is a Restricted Fire
Season. Contact us to obtain one.
If you do not live within the Rural Fire District, you do not require a permit to light a fire, but you must observe the Council bylaw on open fires.
- Fire must be supervised at all times
- Fire must be out by sunset each day
- Fire must be 10 metres from any structure
- Fire must be 3 metres from any boundary
- There must be a cleared area around the fire site
- There must be a means (water etc) present to control the fire
- The fire must not present a nuisance to others
When can a Rural Fire Officer come and visit the site?
We require 3 working days to issue a permit, however generally we will arrange a time as soon as we can. The visiting Officer will arrange a specific time suitable to you to visit the site.
This will be during the working hours of 8am to 5pm Monday to Friday.
Can I get a permit over the phone?
No, a Rural Fire Officer must visit and view the proposed fire site before a permit can be issued.
Do I need to be there when the Rural Fire Officer visits the site?
Yes, the person whom the permit is made out to must be on site as the permit is to be handed to the person who wishes to have the fire.
How long is a permit for?
A fire permit is generally issued for one week, this is due to the uncertainty of our weather conditions. An extension of the permit can be arranged providing certain conditions are met.
What is a Prohibited Fire Season?
A Prohibited Fire Season is a total fire ban. No fires of any kind may be lit during a Prohibited Fire Season. If you have a fire permit and a Prohibited Fire Season is declared your permit becomes invalid and it is an offence to continue with your fire.
When can the permit be overridden?
Any fire officer (including a New Zealand Fire Service Officer) can put out your fire if it is deemed a hazard or a nuisance to your neighbours.
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