No matter how many seasons of stubble burning you have under your belt, it’s important to plan your burn, be considerate of your community, follow the rules, and manage risks. Environment Canterbury have provided the following advice to help with planning.
The key things to remember are:
- Visit Checkitsalright.nz to find out if you can burn and whether you need a permit. Note that during a prohibited fire season, most types of fires are banned.
- If you need a Fire and Emergency New Zealand permit, apply for one in good time and follow all conditions.
- Get resource consent if you’re in the designated buffer zones around Timaru and Ashburton.
- Make a smoke management plan and keep it handy during your burn.
- Let Fire and Emergency know about your burn by visiting https://firepermit.nz and following the steps under 'Lighting a fire in an open season' or 'Need to notify us' or by calling 0800 FENZCALL (9800 336 922)
- Put out ‘controlled burn’ signs along boundaries to let passers-by know your burn is not a wildfire they need to report.
- Monitor the weather and never light up if the wind is swaying trees or blowing towards residential properties.
Keep your smoke management plan on hand
Making a smoke management plan is a legal requirement. The easy-to-follow template available at ecan.govt.nz/smokeplan walks you through everything from the weather forecast for the day of the burn to how you’ll inform those who may be affected. You must provide your smoke management plan to Fire and Emergency and Environment Canterbury staff on request.
Guidance and resources
Brian Reeves, team leader of compliance – northern, encourages anyone unsure about crop residue burning rules to contact Environment Canterbury for advice.
"Whether you need more information about the resource consent process or need help to figure out what’s required in a smoke plan, don’t hesitate to call for a chat,” said Mr Reeves.
Everyone taking time to learn the rules and get stubble burning right means we can reduce unnecessary callouts and nuisance smoke in our region.”
Looking out for the community
It goes without saying that when planning your crop residue burn, you should consider the impact on your neighbours and the wider community. Making a sign or two saying "controlled burn" can reassure passers-by and avoid unnecessary emergency calls. Some Fire and Emergency offices and fire stations keep ‘controlled burn’ signs to lend out.