Source: Department of Conservation
Date: 23 December 2024
DOC Wildfire Manager Brent Swanson says it’s crucial people check whether fires are allowed in the area, and the fire status for the region, before lighting fires in the outdoors.
“The day you head out on your trip, go to the Check It’s Alright website first to follow the fire safety advice and check the local fire danger level. This tool will tell you whether it’s ok to light a fire.”
Brent says there are already very dry conditions in some places this season. There have already been several significant fires, including on conservation land, such as the December blaze in Craigieburn, Canterbury. The eastern parts of the country in particular are expected to have a high fire risk.
“Conservation land is always in a restricted or prohibited fire season, depending on the fire risk, and some areas have a year-round total fire ban.
“Although all conservation land is in a restricted fire season, people may light fires at a campsite’s designated fireplace, or in the backcountry according to specific conditions outlined on the DOC website. Care should be taken to thoroughly extinguish any campfires before leaving a site.
“If it’s a prohibited fire season, it means there is a fire ban and no fires can be lit, though fireplaces inside huts can still be used.
“There may also be useful fire safety information on the DOC webpage about the specific track, hut, or campsite being visited.”
Brent says disposing of hot ashes outside can start devastating wildfires, so ashes from hut fireplaces should be put into the metal bins provided at huts and then soaked with water.
“Gas cookers and enclosed liquid fuel stoves can usually be used at any time, but extra care should be taken if the fire risk is high. Set them up in an area that’s at least 3m clear of any vegetation on a stable, level surface, and be careful when balancing heavy pots on top as they could tip the cooker over.
“Another thing to think about is where to park the car at the start of a trip, as a hot exhaust in long grass can start a fire.”
“Fires on conservation land are often accidentally caused by people. No one wants to see native ecosystems, recreation assets, or heritage and cultural sites destroyed because of a fire, so we’re asking people to stay fire safe in the outdoors this summer.”
Find out about local fire restrictions at the Check it’s alright website.
Read more about lighting fires on public conservation land.
Rules for fires on public conservation land
Public conservation land is always in a Restricted or Prohibited fire season:
- Restricted fire season – means you may light fires at a campsite’s designated fireplace, and in the backcountry according to the specific conditions
- Prohibited fire season – means there is a fire ban and you can not light any fires on public conservation land (you can still use fireplaces inside DOC huts).
You can light campfires at DOC campsites or day amenity areas only if:
- there is no fire ban in place, and
- you use the designated fireplaces/fire pits.
You can light campfires in the backcountry only if:
- there is no fire ban in place
- there are no notices prohibiting fires there
- the fire is at least 3 metres away from trees and anything that could catch fire, and
- the fire is smaller than 0.5 m in width and in height.
Backcountry refers to areas that are more than an hour’s walk from the nearest road end.
Contact
For media enquiries contact:
Email: media@doc.govt.nz
