10.0 Council may Extinguish Fires
10.1
Where a fire has been lit or allowed to burn in:
An open fire season in breach of section 4.0; or
A restricted fire season in breach of the conditions of a fire permit issued in accordance with section 5.4; or
A prohibited fire season, in breach of section 6.2; any officer or agent of the Council (including the New Zealand Fire Service) may extinguish any such fire or direct the occupier of premises on which the fire is located, or the person who lit the fire, to extinguish such fire.
10.2
Where an authorized officer or agent of the Council has extinguished a fire pursuant to section 10.1, the Council may recover any costs incurred in extinguishing the fire from the occupier of premises on which the fire was located, or the person who lit the fire.
10.3
Where any occupier of premises upon which a fire in the open air is located, or person who lit such a fire, disregards a Council direction under section 10.1 to extinguish the fire, the authorized officer may authorize an agent of the Council (including the New Zealand Fire Service) to extinguish the fire and to take such other steps as may be reasonably necessary to ensure the safety of any person or to protect the premises, or any other property.
10.4
The Council may recover from the occupier of the premises, or the person who lit the fire, any costs incurred by it as a result of its officer or agents taking any action authorized by the authorized officer under section 10.3.
