If you wish to light an 'open air' fire within the rural fire district, which includes all land administered by Tasman District & Nelson City Council's you should make an application to the organisation listed in the 'Contact Map' page above.

Information required by the permit issuer will include,

Name, Property on which you wish to burn, Material & Quanitity, Contact details - phone & postal, water availability & other mitigation measures to ensure the fire cannot spread.

Once the issuing agency is happy with the fire they will issue a permit which will be posted to you.  You should keep this permit as the permit number will remain attached to your personal details. 

The duration of the permit depending upon your requirements will also depend on the current seasonal weather effects & fire danger.  During the winter period (excluding the smoke sentive zones - TDC & NCC) permits can generally be issued for longer periods, whereas during spring & summer the duration is shortened to ensure we can manage the regional risk & hazard.  Over Christmas/New Year & other holiday periods we generally restrict permits to cooking & camp fires to both keep the environment clean & minimise the risk when our fire-fighting resources may be somewhat diminished.

Other information regarding defensible space & how to protect your property safe from fire is also available from your fire permit issuing agency or via Rural Fire Network.