In spite of recent rain, and more forecast, open-air fires are now restricted for coastal Waitaki from today until further notice.

Coastal Waitaki joins Upper Waitaki, which has been in a restricted fire season since the start of December.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire needs a permit authorised by Fire and Emergency, which they can apply for at checkitsalright.nz

These restrictions do not change a year-round prohibited fire season in the following special risk zones: Mount Iron, Queenstown, Albert Town Recreation Reserve, Shag Point, Ruby Island, Stevensons Island, Mou Waho, Mou Tapu, Pig Island/Mātau, and Pigeon Island/Wāwāhi Waka.

Fenz Otago District manager Phil Marsh says in spite of the wet weather, the district will continue to dry out.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has also banned fireworks in the Queenstown Lakes area and restricted open-air fires in the Strath Taieri and lakes areas.

“In many areas we see grass browning off and seed heads drying out - this is where our fires start,” he says.

“We also urge people to check their old burn piles or land clearing burns to make sure they are completely out. Windy weather is liable to reignite them if they’re not extinguished.”

Phil says this is already a busy time of year for fire crews, who also deal with motor vehicle crashes and other types of incidents.

“The influx of visitors over the holiday period usually brings more activities such as boating, camping and recreational driving, increasing the risk of fires getting started.

“I’d like to see volunteer firefighters getting to spend a bit more time with their family these holidays, not having to be out there putting out another preventable fire.”

Fireworks also pose a significant threat when grasses dry out, and Queenstown Lakes is a mix of mostly grassland and some scrub and forest.

“Many properties in this area are surrounded by grassland, which is very quick to ignite. Grasslands dry out quickly even after rain, and this often catches people out.”