Gisborne District Council
+64 6 867 2049
Contact UsRural Fire
The Gisborne District Council Rural Fire Authority protects an area of land exceeding 429,000 hectares. This area excludes those areas of land within the district boundaries under the jurisdiction of the NZ Fire Service, Eastland Rural Fire District, Department of Conservation and Pumicelands Rural Fire District.
Fire season status today
An open fire season for all areas except Gisborne city, and rural urban areas, other gazetted urban fire districts and the district's beaches. Within these areas a restricted fire season remains in force. Fire permits are required for all fires except gas barbecues and gas cookers.
You can check the district's fire weather report
| Area | Fire Season | Requirements |
| Rural | Open | No fire permit, but conditions apply |
| Rural Townships | Restricted | Fire by permit only. No fire may be lit in the open air without a permit |
| City - urban areas | Restricted | Fire by permit only. No fire may be lit in the open air without a permit |
| Beaches | Restricted |
No fires. Excludes gas cookers and gas barbecues |
To apply for a permit or for more information about fire permits
Read or download the pamphlet - Is your property at risk from fire?
A permanent restricted fire season applies to all forests and Department of Conservation territories including a one kilometre wide fire safety zone around these properties within the Gisborne district.
You must apply to the Eastland Rural Fire District or the Department of Conservation for a permit.
Rural fire seasons 
There are 3 fire seasons.
Open
This only applies to rural areas. Some conditions apply, please check with us first.
Restricted
Fire by permit only. No fire may be lit in the open without a written permit from council.
Check information about fire permits
Prohibited
This means a total fire ban. No fire may be lit in the open air. The only exception is gas cookers and gas barbecues.
Some exceptions for hangi may be made, contact us.
Fire danger or complaints
If there is immediate danger to people or property - ring 111
If there's no immediate danger to people or property - such as your neighbour is lighting their incinerator when you have washing on the line, please contact us or tell us on an eFix form
Responsibility
Gisborne District Council has a statutory obligation to carry out the functions of a Rural Fire Authority as set out within the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977, and the Forest and Rural Fires Regulations 2005.
The day-to-day management of rural fires is carried out by the Principal Rural Fire Officer (PRFO). The Principal RFO is responsible for the management of our rural fire stations, equipment, public awareness and the operational prevention, suppression and control of fires.
