Whanganui and Ruapehu now has a total fire ban.
The ban comes into effect at 8am on Friday and means it is prohibited to light almost any kind of fire outdoors in Whanganui, Ruapehu and Taranaki, principal rural fire officer Nigel Dravitzki says.
Those areas were in a restricted fire season up until this morning. Neighbouring Rangitīkei, Palmerston North and Manawatū are to follow suit, moving to a total fire ban on February 12.
"It just reflects the risk that's out there in our landscape at the moment. The predicted weather forecast for the next 14 days looks pretty dry," Dravitzki said.
A total fire ban means it is illegal to light a fire of any kind, apart from gas barbecues, hāngi and umu. And Dravitzki advised people wanting to use them to go to the checkitsalright.nz website first, and get tips on how to keep them safe.