Potential Fire Hazards

Please talk to the property owner first to resolve the issue if possible. If this is unsuccessful, let us know by completing the fire hazard form below.

Note: This form is for external fire hazards only, not inside buildings.

The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 

The Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017 has provisions to enable Fire and Emergency to intervene to ensure vegetation or other things which are causing a fire hazard are removed or destroyed.  Action can be taken to address serious, legitimate fire risks such as asking an owner or occupier of a property to voluntarily remove or destroy a fire hazard, through to issuing a formal notice requiring them to undertake that work. 

Fire and Emergency is only able to require an occupier or owner to remove or destroy a potential fire hazard when:

• there is enough flammable material on the land to support a fire spreading to another property
• it is likely a fire will start (for example there is a recent history of fires in the area)
• if a fire did start it is likely to endanger lives or significant property (e.g. multiple houses).

This means we can only take action to deal with genuine fire hazards, not untidy properties.

Untidy, overgrown land can be an eyesore, but these overgrown areas may not necessarily be a fire hazard. If there is land near you which is untidy and overgrown, in the first instance, you should try to speak to the occupier or landowner. If this does not resolve the problem and the area presents a potential risk to health or safety; for example, if it provides a breeding ground for rats and other vermin, then you should contact your local council.