Summer fire season starts

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 12, Issue 561, 8 November 1994, Page 6

Summer fire season starts

The Fire Season has begun with a burst, with already three small rural fires in the last two weeks. Fortunately all were in locations accessible by vehicle and extinguished by the Ohakune Fire Brigade before any major damage could be done, said DoC officer Karen Hawke. All three fires were within one kilometre of Tongariro National Park or Rangataua Conservation Area. Miss Hawke said there is a one-kilome-tre fire buffer zone around Tongariro National Park, Rangataua and Erua Forests. Anyone lighting a fire within that buffer zone is required to obtain a fire permit from the Department of Conservation. She said the permits are free and only take a phone call to the Ohakune DoC office. One of the DoC staff will come out

and have a look at the fire site and perhaps suggest safety procedures to prevent the fire spreading. It also makes the Department of Conservation, who are responsible for fires in conservation areas, the Ohakune Fire Brigade and any other neighbouring parties, aware of the fire. Costs Anyone lighting a fire within the one kilometre buffer zone without a permit is in breach of the Forest and Rural Fires Act ( 1 977) and will be held accountable for any costs incurred fighting or investigating the fire, said Miss Hawke. "So, if your are considering lighting up — ring first, and get a permit," she advised "It's the safest option and could save lots of time and trouble in the long run."