Christchurch and Ashburton shared New Zealand’s highest temperatures today both reaching 34 degree.

A string of warm and dry days has raised the fire risk for the eastern South Island, with another hot day forecast for Saturday.

Metservice said around Christchurch and Canterbury and in Invercargill there is an extreme fire risk for Saturday.

While there has been significant rainfall in the North Island and on the South Island’s West Coast, it’s been pretty dry along the east coast of the South Island, which was showing very dry soil conditions.

Christchurch is forcecast to reach 30s.

Fire and Emergency said Canterbury is in a Restricted Fire Season, so if you wish to have an open-air fire you must apply for a permit and adhere to the conditions on your permit.