Outdoor fires are now banned in coastal and Central Hawke's Bay. (File photo.) Photo: 123RF
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) has banned open fires in rural and coastal Hawke's Bay from Monday.
The fire ban meant that no fires were allowed in the open in rural Central Hawke's Bay and the Hawke's Bay Coast areas, and all existing fire permits were suspended.
A FENZ map showing where open fires are banned in Hawke's Bay. Photo: FENZ
FENZ community risk manager Nigel Hall said the ban was due to the long-term weather forecast.
"Hot and strong windy conditions are forecast to continue in Hawke's Bay which means a wildfire will start more easily, spread faster and be more difficult to control.
"A prohibited season will stop large scale burns from landowners that have been harvesting trees in the recent months or still cleaning up from Cyclone Gabrielle.
"Burning these heavy fuels now or in the coming weeks may lead to long duration [fire] events."