Fire and Emergency has suspended all fire permits across Otago during the Easter break.
The fire danger is extreme or very high in large parts of Otago which has led to all fire permits in the region being suspended during the Easter holiday period. Photo: supplied
The affected area includes Dunedin, Clutha, the Catlins, Waitaki, Central Otago, Wanaka and Lake Hāwea.
Central Otago deputy principal rural fire officer Bobby Lamont said the fire danger was extreme or very high in large parts of the region over Easter.
"Severe winds are forecast for Easter Sunday and Easter Monday which will increase the fire danger further and the dry fuels and soil in the region would make containing a fire extremely difficult if one were to occur," he said in a statement.
In Central Otago, any open air fires and certain activities including roadside mowing and fireworks will be temporarily banned between 6am on Sunday until 6am on Tuesday when the fire danger is worst.
The zone includes Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Lake Hāwea, Naseby, Ranfurly, Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Middlemarch.
"Otago remains in a restricted fire season but while these constraints are in place for the Otago Central Zone this means no lighting any outdoor fires, no roadside mowing, no cultivation, no fireworks or pyrotechnic displays and no explosives to be set off in the Otago Central Zone."
Lamont asks anyone who has had a burn in the last seven days to check they are completely out.
"The strong winds have the potential to reignite any old burn sites so people should check they are fully extinguished. Dig right down into the site, pour water over it and check with the back of your hand there is no heat," he said.
"We ask people to take the high fire danger in Otago seriously over the holiday weekend."
The suspension is valid until midday on Tuesday.