Growers have so far this year largely escaped the regulatory net cast by Hawke's Bay Regional Council, a net designed to lower urban air pollution levels in winter.
Winter is when air pollution levels soar on still nights in Napier and Hastings, due to domestic fires.
Last year Hawke's Bay Regional Council chairman Rex Graham called for stronger regulation around orchard burn-offs, but his own council says the timing of air-quality exceedances shows domestic fires are the problem.
This year, of the 28 fines for fires issued by the council were nearly all were in urban areas.
Council Regulation Group Manager Liz Lambert said the $300 fines were typically issued to "mums and dads" burning rubbish in their garden.