Hutt City Council

Rural Fire

Rural Fire in Hutt Valley

The Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council are Rural Fire Authorities, and are responsible for ensuring the functions of the Forest & Rural Fires Act 1977 are carried out within the Hutt City and Upper Hutt City boundaries. 

The Councils have appointed a Principal Rural Fire Officer who is responsible for ensuring that the necessary management functions are in place. This includes actions to reduce the risk of and severity of fire, and monitoring the fire danger on a daily basis during the fire season. Other key tasks include ensuring preparedness by having available a fire suppression capability to efficiently manage rural fires.

The Council's have two bush fire forces: Wainuiomata Bushfire Force and Upper Hutt Rural Fire Force. Agreements are also in place to use the NZ Fire Service and other fire suppression providers if required, and to have an aerial fire fighting capacity through the use of helicopters and monsoon buckets.

 

Fire Season Status

CURRENT STATUS : Restricted Fire Season

The official fire season commences 1 October and ends 30 April in the following year. The Hutt City Council and Upper Hutt City Council Rural Fire Authorities operate on a 'Restricted Fire Season' or a 'Prohibited Fire Season'.

Prohibited Fire Season

A prohibited fire season means there is a total fire ban and is declared when certain fire danger thresholds are reached, generally from mid to late December through to early March. During a prohibited fire season no fires are to be lit in the open air.

The prohibited fire season is advertised in The Dominion Post and in local papers, and Total Fire Ban signs are erected within the Hutt Valley. 

Restricted Fire Season

A restricted fire season is applied on a year round basis due to the ever present fire risk. During a restricted fire season a permit is required for all open air fires in rural areas.  

Activities allowed during a restricted or prohibited season in a rural area are: 

 

Fire Permits

Any person who wants to burn materials in incinerators, have controlled burns of vegetation, or light fires for any reason, must first obtain a fire permit from Hutt Valley Emergency Management Office. Fire permits are required for all open air fires in rural areas including hangis, umus, fires in braziers, or incinerators.

To apply for a permit phone the Hutt Valley Emergency Management Office on 570 6447. Allow 3 business days for processing of rural fire permit requests.

A Rural Fire Officer will work with you in completing a fire permit application form. Permits can be granted for periods of one day to one month, depending on weather conditions, the fire risk, and the time of year.

Permits will not be granted in a prohibited fire season.

 

Rural Fire Plan

Every two years the Hutt City Rural Fire Authority is responsible for reviewing and updating the Rural Fire Plan. The fire plan is a statement of fire control policy, chain of command and procedures by a Rural Fire Authority. Rural Fire Authorities are required by the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977 and Rural Fire Regulations 2005 to have an operational fire plan.

Hutt City Council Rural Fire Plan (PDF 173kb) 

Upper Hutt City Council Rural Fire Plan (PDF 180kb)

 

Rural Fire Safety and Prevention

Reduce Risks

 

Be Prepared

 

Be Safe