Recent rainfall has reduced the region's fire danger rating enough to allow Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority to begin re-issuing fire permits to the public.

From today, residents can apply for temporary fire permits but will not be issued with a season-long permit, says principal rural fire officer Alan Pearce.

Western Bay Moana Rural Fire Authority is to begin re-issuing fire permits. Photo: File.

A suspension on all fire permits has been in place for the past three weeks after continuous dry, hot weather raised fire danger levels in Tauranga City and the Western Bay to ‘extreme'.

'The recent rain has alleviated the high risk of wildfires and we are again able to issue open air fire permits to the public, for the time being,” says Alan.

Permits issued will vary with the type of fuel to be burned, he adds. For example, braziers, campfires, traditional cooking, garden and household garden rubbish fire permits will be granted for a period of four weeks maximum.

There will also be restrictions on the size of certain types of open air fires. Camp fires, garden and rubbish fires will be limited in size to a one-by-one metre footprint.

The restricted fire season will continue to April 30, 2015. The fire authority will assess the fire danger on a daily basis.

Alan says he is happy to discuss matters relating to the restricted fire season, and offer advice relating to rural burning practices. To contact the fire authority, call: 07 571 8008.

To keep updated on fire permit conditions and for more information, visit: www.westernbay.govt.nz