Placement is the single most important safety decision you make with a backyard fire pit. The flames, the radiant heat and the embers that rise or drop from the fire all need space, and the house, fences, trees and decking around the pit all react differently to that heat.
This guide answers the question of how far a fire pit should be from your house, using New Zealand fire safety guidance and the clearance figures published by Wizard Fire Pits, a New Zealand business that sells smokeless fire pits and accessories. It is general information, so always check the rules that apply to your property and your area before you light a fire.
The short answer
Fire and Emergency New Zealand advises keeping a fire pit at least three metres from any part of a building, hedge, shelterbelt or other combustible material. Treat that as the minimum. If the manufacturer of your pit publishes a larger clearance for any direction, follow the larger figure. checkitsalright
Three metres is measured from the fire itself, not from the edge of your seating area, and it applies in every direction, including overhead. A pit that sits three metres from the wall but directly beneath an eave, a branch or an awning does not meet the guideline in practice.
What the national guidance covers
The official advice for fire pits, bowls and braziers goes beyond distance. In a restricted fire season, a permit is not needed when you meet a set of safety conditions: checkitsalright
- The fire area is smaller than one square metre. checkitsalright
- The fire is at least three metres from buildings, hedges, shelterbelts and other combustible material. checkitsalright
- A non-combustible base or tray contains any hot embers or ash that could escape. checkitsalright
- A way to extinguish the fire, such as a hose, bucket or extinguisher, is within easy reach, no more than five metres away. fireandemergency
- Someone supervises the fire at all times while it burns. fireandemergency
If you cannot meet these conditions, you may need a fire permit, and during a prohibited fire season open air fires are generally banned. Lighting a fire when a prohibition applies can be an offence under the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017. odc
Distances to consider around your yard
From your house and other buildings
Measure from the pit to the nearest part of the building, including eaves, cladding, window frames, decking, pergolas and sheds. Timber cladding, vinyl and plastic guttering are particularly vulnerable to heat and drifting sparks. Look for open windows as well, because smoke and embers can enter a house even when the fire is a safe distance away.
Overhead clearance
Flames and hot gases rise, so height matters as much as distance across the ground. Wizard's FAQ recommends at least 5 metres of height clearance from structures and trees for the Regular and Jumbo sizes, and at least 2 metres for the Mini. Overhanging branches, roof lines, covered patios and pergolas all count, and a fire should never be lit under a roof or covered structure.
Side clearance from walls, trees and fences
Wizard's FAQ lists side clearance from any wall or tree as 2 metres for the Regular and Jumbo sizes and 1 metre for the Mini. Those figures are lower than the national three metre guideline for buildings and hedges, so the larger distance applies when a building or hedge is the closest object. Wizard's FAQ does not list a clearance for the Small size, so confirm it with the supplier or contact the team through the Small Wizard collection before choosing a position for it.
Fences, boundaries and neighbours
Fences are often made of timber and sit close to the boundary, so they are easy to overlook. Think about where smoke and sparks will travel as well. Councils and regional authorities in New Zealand generally expect a fire not to cause a smoke nuisance for neighbours. A smokeless design reduces smoke when it is operating properly, although Wizard states plainly that no pit is smokeless at all times and that wind, fuel type and the warm-up and cool-down stages can all produce smoke. trendzoutdoors
The surface beneath the pit
The ground matters as much as the distance to walls. A pit should sit on a stable, level, non-combustible surface such as paving, concrete or gravel. Wizard says its pits can be used on a wooden deck only with close attention and recommends a heat proof mat, noting that wood and composite decking differ in heat resistance. The brand lists a heat proof mat made for the smallest size in its Mini Wizard collection and a separate mat for the larger pits. Never leave a pit unattended on a combustible surface while hot, including while it cools.
Fire pit distance guide
The table below brings the main figures together. It combines the national guidance with the clearances published for Wizard pits.
| Item | Suggested Minimum | Source and Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings, hedges, shelterbelts and other combustible materials | 3 metres | Fire and Emergency New Zealand guidance |
| Overhead clearance for Regular and Jumbo fire pits | 5 metres | Wizard FAQ |
| Overhead clearance for Mini fire pits | 2 metres | Wizard FAQ |
| Side clearance from walls or trees for Regular and Jumbo fire pits | 2 metres | Wizard FAQ; the 3-metre clearance applies to buildings and hedges |
| Side clearance from walls or trees for Mini fire pits | 1 metre | Wizard FAQ; the 3-metre clearance applies to buildings and hedges |
| Fire area | Under 1 square metre | Fire and Emergency New Zealand guidance |
| Fire-extinguishing equipment | Within 5 metres | Fire and Emergency New Zealand guidance |
For the Small size, confirm clearances with the supplier before placing it.
Check the rules before you light
Distance is only one part of the picture. Before you light a fire in New Zealand, check three things:
- The fire season. Fire and Emergency New Zealand sets open, restricted and prohibited fire seasons by area, and its Check It's Alright tool at checkitsalright.nz shows what applies where you live. nrc
- Council and regional rules. Councils and regional authorities set their own bylaws and air quality rules, and these apply even when no fire permit is needed.
- Permission to burn. If you rent, or the land belongs to someone else, you need the owner's permission, and body corporate rules may apply in some developments.
Set up the fire area safely
A safe distance is only useful if the rest of the setup is sound. These habits make a real difference:
- Choose a spot that is level, sheltered from strong wind and clear of dry grass or leaves.
- Keep a hose, bucket or extinguisher within easy reach before lighting.
- Use dry, seasoned hardwood. Wizard suggests kiln-dried manuka, gum, oak or wattle, or quality macrocarpa, and advises avoiding pine because of its resin. The fuel and fire starters collection lists hardwood pellets and fire starters.
- Keep children and pets back from the pit and never leave the fire unattended.
- Place seating, blankets and furniture outside the heat zone and clear of sparks. Portable lounging options such as the RollyBed are made of fabric, so keep them well back from the flames.
- Let the pit cool completely before you empty the ash pan, because hot ashes can reignite and escape.
Wind and weather
Wind changes the safe distance more than almost anything else. A gust can carry sparks well past a clearance zone and push smoke toward a house or a neighbour's window. Check the forecast, avoid lighting in strong wind and put the fire out if conditions change. High fire danger ratings, dry grass and long dry spells all call for extra caution or postponing the fire.
Special situations
Small sections and courtyards
If you cannot achieve three metres in every direction, a fixed backyard fire is probably not suitable for that space. A lightweight portable pit can sometimes be used at a campsite or beach instead, where different rules and conditions apply.
Covered patios and pergolas
Do not use a fire pit under a roof, pergola or awning. Hot gases and sparks rise, and overhead structures can ignite or trap smoke.
Decks and apartments
Decks require extra protection and close attention, and many apartment and townhouse developments prohibit open flames altogether. Check your body corporate rules and lease conditions before buying a pit.
Frequently asked questions
How far should a fire pit be from a house in NZ?
The national guidance is at least three metres from any part of a building, hedge, shelterbelt or other combustible material. Use a larger distance if the pit manufacturer specifies one.
Does a smokeless fire pit need the same distance?
Yes. A smokeless design reduces smoke, but the flames, heat and embers are the same hazards as with any wood-burning fire, so the same clearances apply.
Can I use a fire pit on a wooden deck?
Wizard says its pits can be used on a wooden deck with close attention, never unattended, and recommends a heat proof mat. Decking materials differ, so check the guidance for your deck and keep the fire supervised throughout.
Do I need a permit for a fire pit?
It depends on the fire season and your area. In a restricted season a permit is generally not needed if you meet the safety conditions, but you should check the current status before every fire.
Can I use a fire pit under a covered patio?
No. Fire pits should be used in open air with clear space above them, because heat, sparks and smoke rise and can damage or ignite roofing and overhead structures.
Ask before you place your pit
If you are unsure where a particular size of pit should go in your yard, you can contact the Wizard Fire Pits team with your measurements and the model you are considering.
