New Zealand / Regional

Fire ban in Auckland to be lifted

20:27 pm on 19 April 2013

A total fire ban in the Auckland region will be lifted on Saturday.

Fire restrictions were put in place during the long, dry spell in January and included Waiheke and other islands in the Hauraki Gulf.

The Auckland Council says recent rainfall has meant the ban can be lifted, but open-air fires in rural areas will still require a permit.

It says there are no changes to other restrictions within urban areas.

The ban will be lifted at midnight on Friday.