Prohibited fire season in Western Bay

The Western Bay of Plenty has moved to a prohibited fire season.

The prohibited fire season came into effect from 8am on Tuesday 25 January 2022.

This means everyone in the Bay of Plenty, can no longer light an open-air fire. All fire permits previously granted will be suspended, and new permits will not be issued while the ban is in place.

Bay of Plenty District Manager, Jeff Maunder says the change will help prevent a large wildfire in the District.

“The current climate conditions have driven the total fire ban as the indicators have hit our pre-determined fire plan triggers for a prohibited fire season. The temperatures are high and dry and the humidity is low, making it the perfect condition for fires to get out of control,” he says.

There are still some activities involving fire that are allowed during a prohibited fire season. For more information on what you can and can’t do, and how to do your activity safely, go to www.checkitsalright.nz.