Deliberately lit fires and dry conditions have fire officers throughout the country on high alert.
Fire bans are in place for Central Otago, and parts of Canterbury, and will soon be ordered in Gisborne and parts of the Far North.
The fire danger on the east coast of both islands was being assessed with officers in Central Otago and the Hauraki District on high alert.
National Rural Fire Officer Kevin O'Connor said dry conditions meant fires could be caused by simple things.
“Using a mower, it can hit a stone and a spark can occur and a fire occurred the other day where someone was welding and the spark from the welder flew off into the grass and a fire began,” he said.
“It’s really about communities being aware of the risk and just managing in that context.”