Do you know the unsung local heroes working behind the scenes to protect the Bay of Plenty's rural and forest areas from destructive fires during the hot summer months?

Alan Pearce, the Moana zone representative for Pumicelands, is one such person and is championing responsible fire management in order to protect the Western Bay from devastation.

Pumicelands is the rural fire authority responsible for issuing fire permits and fighting rural fires across the Western Bay and some parts of the Kaimai Range.

Originally from Waihi, Alan has 17 years of Civil Defence and Emergency Management and rural fire experience, and has worked throughout New Zealand and overseas for the likes of Western Bay Moana Rural Fire, Tauranga City, Department of Internal Affairs and Department of Conservation.

'The best thing about working with Pumicelands is working within a larger, coordinated rural fire organisation. Raising awareness of the risks all rural landowners and occupiers face from the danger of wildfire is an important part of the job.”

By working with the region, Pumicelands' mission is to protect lives, rural homes, orchards, farms, forests and conservation lands from the damaging effects of vegetation wildfires, says Alan.

'Everyone has a responsibility when it comes to open air fires, particularly during our hot, dry summers, and making sure you have a fire permit is the first step.”

Fire permits are required for all open air fires, including controlled burns, campfires, cooking fires, rubbish fires and braziers.

Formed in 2015 following the amalgamation of the 10 separate rural fire districts in the Central North Island region, Pumicelands covers approximately 2.35 million hectares of rural and forest areas in the wider Bay of Plenty, Taupo and South Waikato.

For more information or to apply for a fire permit visit your local councils or apply online at: www.pumicelands.co.nz