Items such as mattresses, plastic bottles, tyres, food waste, chemicals, treated timber and waste oil cannot be burnt safety as they have the potential to discharge extremely harmful toxins into the environment.
"It’s important to think about what you’re burning — you’ll breathe it in and so will your family and your neighbours," ORC compliance manager Tami Sargeant said.
The best practice was to find a way to recycle or re-use such items or dispose of them appropriately at landfill.
"If you are conducting backyard burning or having burn-offs there is a need to consider what effect your actions are having on the wider community and the environment."
ORC has produced a quick guide to rules around outdoor burning, aimed to help anyone navigate which rules apply in which part of Otago, which can be found online at orc.govt.nz.
People who see signs of pollution or outdoor burning of concern should contact ORC’s pollution hotline on 0800800-033.
FENZ senior media advisor Liam Hyslop recommended people considering outdoor fires check for safety and restrictions online at www.checkitsalright.nz
