Wellington fireworks and sky lantern ban to be lifted

6:52 pm on 7 May 2024
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Photo: 123rf

A ban on the use of fireworks and sky lanterns in Wellington will be lifted tomorrow as Fire and Emergency New Zealand is eases fire restrictions across the region.

The ban was imposed on 9 February under Section 52 of the Fire and Emergency Act which allows Fire and Emergency to restrict activities that may start or cause the spread of fire.

The restricted fire season covering all Wairarapa fire zones will be also revoked, which means a permit will no longer be required to light an open-air fire.

While cooler temperatures and wet weather had reduced the overall fire risk, community risk manager Phil Soal urged people to be vigilant when lighting any fires, and to not light their own fireworks, but wait for public pyrotechnic displays instead.

"Privately lit fireworks have been the cause of a number of unwanted fires in the past that make Fire and Emergency concerned about injuries to the public, and damage to property, land and the environment," he said.

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