New rules for outdoor fires in urban areas of the Thames-Coromandel District have been adopted by council this week.

The Fires in the Open Bylaw was adopted by the Thames-Coromandel District Council during its full meeting on Wednesday and will take effect on September 1

Thames-Coromandel District Council's recently adopted Fires in the Open Bylaw will take effect on September 1. File Photo.

The bylaw aims to protect people, property and the environment while balancing people's desire to light fires for cooking, heating and amenity purposes.

Community Environment manager Barry Smedts says just like the old bylaw, this new one allows council to set fire seasons in order to minimise fire risk.

'The main message of the bylaw is be fire safe: Always do a safety check and talk to any neighbours who might be affected before you light any type of outdoor fire. If you can't control it, don't light it,” says Barry.

Under the new bylaw, fireworks, compliant fire devices (permanent structures like pizza ovens, outdoor fireplaces and incinerators), gas barbeques, cookers and heaters, and fires with a permit are allowed in urban areas.

While the types of fires urban areas which will require permits include organised fireworks and pyrotechnic displays, cultural cooking fires (hangi, umu, fire pit or other solid fuel outdoor fires used for preparing food traditionally) and bonfires.

Under the new bylaw there are no changes to fires in rural areas as these areas are regulated by the Thames Valley Rural Fire Authority and the Department of Conservation.

For more information including fire permits, bans and exemptions plus maps of all urban areas covered by the bylaw visit the Thames-Coromandel District Council website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire