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Managing our Environment

Outdoor burning

 

Outdoor burning is a nuisance for neighbours and contributes to air pollution in parts of Otago. You can help reduce air pollution from outdoor burning. Although the Otago Air Plan allows some outdoor burning, we encourage alternatives such as composting, mulching, using kerbside collection services or visiting a transfer station.

 

Different types of outdoor burning

There are three different types of outdoor burning:

  • Industrial burning
  • Backyard fire
  • Vegetation/forestry burn off

 

Complying

An outdoor fire – such as a brazier, a controlled rural burn-off, or a hangi – must comply with Otago Air Plan rules.

Having a permit from does not necessarily mean your burning is permitted under Otago Air Plan rules.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand sets fire seasons, tracks daily fire danger, and issues permits to burn. Their rules depend on what kind of fire you have and whether it's an open, restricted or prohibited season. Before you light a fire, check your plan at checkitsalright.nz and get a permit if you need one. You must also follow the Otago Air Plan rules for what you can burn and where the fire is.

 

What materials can I burn?

The answer depends on what you want to burn, how big your property is and where you live. Your city or district council may also have restrictions on outdoor burning. In all cases, the most stringent regulation applies.

 

Ok to burn

  • Untreated wood
  • Paper
  • Cardboard
  • Vegetation (must not be green)

Not ok to burn

  • Rubber, including tyres, tubes and foam rubber
  • Treated timber
  • Waste oil or other petroleum products
  • Plastics of any kind, including vinyl, nylon, and polystyrene, but you can burn polyethylene (used for silage wrap)
  • Mineral fibres
  • Wires or cables
  • Food waste
  • Disposable nappies
  • Chemicals including garden sprays and agrichemicals
  • Paints, varnishes or other surface coatings
  • Motor vehicle or vehicle parts
  • Any pathological material
  • Sewage sludge, such as solids from septic tanks
  • Material from contaminated sites or buildings
  • Materials containing heavy metals

Better burning

 

If burning permitted material is your only option, you should reduce smoke and burn safely and considerately.

  • Burn as far from your property boundary as possible.
  • Check that the wind is predicted to be away from built-up areas for the duration of the fire.
  • Postpone the lighting of your fire if there's already smoke from other fires in the air.
  • Make smaller fires.
  • Use dry fuel and stack it loosely.
  • Don't let the fire smoulder.
  • Avoid burning in the early morning or late afternoon/evening (breezier daytime conditions help to disperse the smoke).
  • Avoid burning when there is an inversion layer.
  • Be prepared to put the fire out if conditions change or you discover that you are causing a nuisance.
  • Ensure burning on the property is permitted under the Air Plan.

 

We've produced a quick guide for anyone who wants to know if their outdoor burn is permitted.

View the print-ready version of the outdoor burning guide.

 

 

FAQs

 

Outdoor burning is burning outside. It can be in or on the ground, or in a container. It includes burning in a heap, burning in a drum, burning of standing vegetation, campfires, barbecues, bonfires, hangi, umus, and braziers or other solid fuel patio heaters and appliances.

Smoke from burning gets up your nose, in your eyes and in your clothes. It can be very toxic or just a nuisance to neighbours. We get many complaints about air pollution, particularly in urban areas.

Regulations control outdoor burning throughout Otago. But the regulations are toughest in Air Zones 1 and 2 where we see the worst air quality. You can see the air zones in our Regional Plan for Air.

Dirty burning produces dark grey, black or brown smoke. You can report dirty burning to the ORC Pollution Hotline. White smoke generally indicates responsible burning.

We recommend you check whether your outdoor burning requires a permit from your local district or city council, Fire and Emergency NZ and in some cases, the Department of Conservation.

You must also comply with the ORC Air Plan rules.

 

Air Zones 1 and 2: household burning outdoors

 

You can only do this if the fire is at least 50 metres from any boundary, you are only burning permitted items listed above, and the smoke is not a nuisance to your neighbours. In Air Zones 1 and 2, it is highly unlikely that your property will be big enough to meet the requirements.

You need a resource consent for a fire less than 50 metres from any boundary. 

 

You can burn paper, cardboard, plant matter and untreated wood. The material must be dry. You cannot burn green plant material just cut from living plants. Wood must not be painted, varnished or treated, or contain glues or other plastics.

The fire must be at least 50 metres from any boundary and the smoke must not be a nuisance to your neighbours. In Air Zones 1 or 2, it is highly unlikely that your property will be big enough to meet the requirements.

 

You can only burn dry paper and cardboard, or dried plant material. Check the list of materials you can't burn above.

The fire must be 50 metres from any boundary and the smoke must not be a nuisance to your neighbours. In Air Zones 1 and 2, it is highly unlikely that your property will be big enough to meet the requirements.

Yes – providing it is at least 50 metres from all your boundaries. The smoke must not be a nuisance to the neighbours at the boundary. In Air Zones 1 and 2, it is highly unlikely that your property will be big enough for this.

Yes – providing the smoke, ash and smell do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours at or beyond the boundary.

Yes – providing the smoke, odour, ash, etc do not cause a nuisance to your neighbours at or beyond the boundary of your property. Talk to your neighbours and check your city or district council's requirements for celebratory bonfires.

 

Air Zones 1 and 2: business and commercial burning outdoors

 

You can burn outdoors so long as the material is dry – paper, cardboard, plant matter or untreated wood. The plant material must not be green, so not just cut from living plants. Wood must not be painted, varnished or treated, or contain glues or other plastics.

The fire must not cause a nuisance to your neighbours or anyone else beyond your property boundary, including road users.

We recommend you dispose of most rubbish another way.

 

 

Air quality and health

Exposure to air pollution has multiple negative impacts on health and is well-researched globally. In Otago, our biggest problem is particulate matter, PM10 and PM2.5 Read more

Air quality data

Otago Regional Council measures air pollution throughout Otago so that the cause can be investigated. This air quality data is publicly available. Read more

Air quality science

Do you want to understand the science behind how we measure Otago's air quality? Read more

Dust

Dust can come from natural sources (like soil) and human-made sources (like industrial factories). Read more

Burn Dry, Breathe Easy

Make sure the wood you are burning is dry. It’s better for your home and the environment. Read more

Report Pollution

If you observe an instance of pollution to water, air, or land in Otago, call the Pollution Hotline which is staffed 24/7 on 0800 800 033 to report it or fill in the form. Read more

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