Firefighting bill shock for farmer

A Waverley farmer has been billed almost $65,000 after a burn-off got out of control.

The Waitangi Day blaze burnt 30ha along the Department of Conservation Nukuhau scenic reserve, crossed a road and advanced up Robert and Dianne Manson's driveway razing their woodshed, damaging a woolshed and coming within 3m of their house.

It cost $64,546 to extinguish the fire and the National Rural Fire Authority has billed the farmer, Phillip How.

Mr How yesterday said he was shocked to be charged for fighting the fire.

He is fighting the decision, claiming he was misinformed by a rural fire officer at the South Taranaki District Council after he made inquiries about permits.

"I said 'do I need any permits?' and his words were 'no you don't need any permits this season'," he said.

However, DOC is the fire authority for all land within a kilometre of its reserves and permits to light fires are required all year round.

National Rural Fire Authority spokesman Murray Dudfield said the burn-off had been started without a permit.

He said the law had been in place since 1977.

Mr How said he never gave DOC a second thought and is now warning other farmers to check things out before starting fires.

"It's like we were just supposed to know," he said.

His insurance company was still waiting to receive a detailed breakdown of the cost to battle the blaze.

A helicopter with a water bucket worked all the following day to dampen down the charred land.