The lighting of outdoor fires in Christchurch and on Banks Peninsula will be restricted from today.
It's part of the Fire Service's plan to minimise the risk of bush fires that raged in the area last summer.
Outdoor fires in rural areas will require a permit from the Christchurch City Council's rural fire officers, while there is a total ban on outdoor fires in the city, with the exception of hangi and barbecues.
Despite the forecasted rainfall, Civil Defence and Emergency Management's Murray Sinclair said the seasonally high temperatures will dry out grass and trees and making them pose a fire risk.
Permits are available through the council's call centre.
