Extreme fire danger in Otago

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

Fire and Emergency New Zealand have warned that fire danger is very high in large parts of the Otago region over Easter due to high winds and the dry fuels and soil in the region.

These conditions have led to new fire restrictions across the Otago Region from 12pm on Thursday 1 April until 12pm Tuesday 6 April.

What you need to know:
- All fire permits have been suspended in Coastal Zone Dunedin, Clutha including Catlins, Waitaki, Central Zone and Lakes.
- In the Otago Central Zone, open air fires have been prohibited as well as no roadside mowing, no cultivation, no fireworks or pyrotechnic displays and no explosives to be set off. This includes Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Naseby, Ranfurly, Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Middlemarch.

Central Otago Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer Bobby Lamont asks anyone who has had a burn in the last seven days to check that these 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."

For full details, check out the Fire and Emergency New Zealand site here.