Fire ban inland from Dunedin

Dry, windy weather has forced a total fire ban inland from Dunedin.

The fire ban covers the Strath Taieri Rural Fire Zone. All rural fire permits have been cancelled in the area as authorities get ready for what could be a long summer.

"It will take a significant number of days of rainfall to lower the fire risk so it should not be assumed that a heavy rainfall will lead to lowered risk and the lifting of the ban," Dunedin City Council principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said.

The ban will take effect tomorrow at 8pm.

The Department of Conservation would also be putting a total fire ban in place on areas that it covers within the Strath Taieri Zone.

Fires are allowed in Dunedin city by permit only at the moment.

- NZPA