Dry conditions prompt fire bans

A total fire ban across North and Central Otago and Canterbury for the next 24 hours, has been declared by the National Rural Fire Officer.

Several large fires, mostly caused by escaped burnoffs, have occurred across the area in the past week, including one near Oxford in Canterbury that destroyed 50ha of farmland overnight.

Many of the fires are still being contained.

The fire ban is necessary because of the elevated fire danger, the number of existing fires and predicted dry, windy conditions over the next 24 hours, national rural fire officer Murray Dudfield said.

"Any fires started in such tinder dry conditions have the potential to get out of control," he said.

"This is a timely reminder to the public early in the fire season that in these areas conditions are significantly dry, that any fires that are lit or start in these strong wind conditions have the potential to get out of control."

Areas with fire bans:

* South Canterbury Rural Fire District
* Waitaki District Council
* Central Otago District Council
* Queenstown Lakes District Council
* Ashley Rural Fire District
* Hurunui District Council
* Waimakariri District Council
* Banks Peninsula District Council
* Selwyn District Council
* Ashburton District Council
* Christchurch City Council and
* All Department of Conservation areas contained within these areas.

- NZPA