Otago coastal zones move to restricted fire season

3 Poutūterangi 2023

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has declared a restricted fire season for the fire zones in the coastal parts of Otago, from 8am Monday 6 March 2023 until further notice.

This affects Dunedin, Mopanui, Clutha and Coastal Waitaki fire zones, including forestry areas within those zones.

Otago Community Risk Manager James Knapp says while these areas no longer need to be under a prohibited fire season, some parts of the district are likely to be drier than usual for a few weeks yet.

"A restricted fire season means you need a fire permit from Fire and Emergency before lighting any fire outdoors," Mr Knapp said.

"People should continue to take great care with any fire or any activity that could spark a fire, especially on hot, windy afternoons.

"There’s still a lot of flammable vegetation across the district because the wet conditions during spring and early summer encouraged plant growth, which has since dried off."

Strath Taieri, Central, Lakes and Upper Waitaki fire zones remain in a prohibited fire season, which means a total ban on outdoor fires.

Mr Knapp said that as La Niña conditions ease across Otago, this is likely to lead to more changeable weather.

"We’re looking forward to cooler, wetter conditions later in autumn," he said. "This should be good news for our fire risk - the very hot and dry conditions have had us on high alert over the last couple of months."

For more information about what you can and can’t do in a restricted season, go to www.checkitsalright.nz.