Plan ahead for trouble-free stubble burning

No matter how many seasons of stubble burning you have under your belt, it’s important to 'check it's alright',  plan your burn, be considerate of your community, and manage risks.

All of Waitaha/Canterbury is in a restricted fire season. This means you will need a permit for any kind of outdoor burning, including crop residue burning.

Burn responsibly this season

Most farmers in Waitaha/Canterbury are responsible with their crop residue burning and make every effort to keep smoke within their property boundaries. However, each summer we receive questions and complaints about crop residue burns and other types of outdoor burning. Callers complain about smoke drifting across roads and smoke or ash creating a nuisance over property boundaries.  

Check it's alright before you light

Always start your crop residue burn planning by visiting Checkitsalright.nz, a website run by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, to find out if you can burn and how to apply for a permit. 

• Apply for your permit in good time and follow all conditions. Keep a copy of your permit with you while you’re having your burn.
• Once you have a permit, you may also need to let Fire and Emergency know you are burning. You can do this in the 'Need to notify us' section of the Firepermit.nz website or by calling 0800 FENZCALL (0800 336 922).
• When you’ve finished your crop residue burn, always double check that the fire is completely extinguished before you leave.
• Never take risks by trying to beat changes in the weather, or by not properly preparing for a burn. You have a duty of care to ensure any fires you light will remain under control. 
• Consider putting a ‘controlled burn‘ sign along any road boundaries, as this will help the public understand your burn is not a wildfire they need to report. 

Keep your smoke management plan on hand

Making a smoke management plan is a legal requirement. Download our easy-to-follow template (PDF file, 102KB), which walks you through everything from the weather forecast for the day of the burn to how you’ll inform those who may be affected. You must provide your smoke management plan to Fire and Emergency and our staff on request.

Monitor the weather

Weather conditions play a big part in determining how smoke from your stubble burning will behave, so it’s important to consider as part of your planning. Cloudy days tend to be the best for stubble burning, as they usually bring light and unstable winds that are good for dispersing and limiting the spread of smoke. 

Cool or foggy air is generally bad for burning as the smoke sinks, doesn’t disperse, and can become a nuisance to your community. Of course, if the wind is swaying trees or blowing toward residential properties, you shouldn’t light up. 

Looking out for the community 

It goes without saying that when planning your crop residue burn, you should consider the impact on your neighbours and the wider community. Making a sign or two saying ‘controlled burn‘ can reassure passers-by and avoid unnecessary emergency calls. Some Fire and Emergency offices and fire stations keep signs to lend out.