New Zealand / Regional

Selwyn District fire ban lifted

17:44 pm on 9 March 2015

The total fire ban in Canterbury's Selwyn District has been lifted, with some restrictions remaining.

The Selwyn District Council issued a total fire ban in early January, during a drought affecting areas around the South Island.

The council's deputy principal rural fire officer, Douglas Marshall, said rain over the past couple of days, with more forecast for the coming week, meant the district can move to a restricted fire season.

Mr Marshall said the removal of the total ban meant farmers could burn crop residues without a permit, providing they followed safe burning guidelines.

These guidelines include the requirement for ten metres of bare earth around the area to be burnt, with fires only to be lit during daytime hours and out before dark.