A Restricted Fire Season for the Southern District will come into force at 8am this Saturday.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) Deputy Rural Fire Officer David Coveney said the fire danger had increased to a point that significant fires were more likely to happen and were harder to extinguish.

“If people do intend to burn, they need to take care. Plan their burning by getting a long-range weather forecast and think what could go wrong and plan for the worst-case scenario."

Since Christmas, Southland has experienced warm weather resulting in drying of vegetation. The MetService forecast for Friday is predicting a 30-degree day this Friday.

A Restricted Fire Season means most fire types need a permit to light a fire. Fire permits include conditions to ensure fires remain safe.

Conditions include not lighting when strong winds are forecast, having enough equipment to control a fire and not being within 30 metres of other combustible material.

Mr Coveney said those who light fires are responsible for making sure the fires are safe and do not spread, and included fires that were lit months ago.

“We have a number of calls every year for fires people thought were out but re-ignite when the wind gets up. The drying conditions can exacerbate the situation making it easier for wind to re-ignite an old fire."

FENZ is asking people to check old fires, wet them down and rake them out to ensure all material is cold to touch to prevent re-ignition.

Mr Coveney said the FENZ workforce consisted of 80% volunteer firefighters and the odds were it would be a volunteer firefighter from the community taking time off from their work to attend to fires,

"We ask people to consider this before lighting.

All of Otago and Southland are currently in a restricted fire season, except Central which is in a Total Fire Ban.

Free advice on burning and issues permits from FENZ can be found by ringing 0800 658 628 or clicking here.