Fire and Emergency New Zealand is urging Canterbury residents to avoid lighting outdoor fires over the coming days due to an increased fire risk. Higher temperatures, ranging from 26 to 30 degrees Celsius, combined with gusty northwesterly winds, are expected in the region, raising concerns about potential fires.

District Commander Dave Stackhouse said people need to be vigilant about the fire danger. “I urge people to hold off lighting outdoor fires for the next few days while the weather is warm and windy,” he said.

Although the area north of the Rakaia River remains in an open fire season, Stackhouse said the conditions still present a significant risk. “Vegetation fires will still occur if people don’t heed the advice,” he said.

He explained that during a recent total fire ban in Canterbury, which lasted for a week under section 52 of the Fire and Emergency New Zealand Act 2017, crews responded to 23 vegetation fires. “Of these incidents, 78 percent were caused by outside fires, burn-offs, or previous fires reigniting,” Stackhouse said.

Fire and Emergency is asking residents not to light outdoor fires and to monitor any previous burns closely, as the risk of reignition is high. “Burying embers under dirt can help, but it may not fully extinguish the fire,” Stackhouse warned. “If winds pick up, they can disturb the soil, carry embers, and ignite nearby dry vegetation.”

Residents are encouraged to visit the “Check It’s Alright” website for information about open air fires and safety precautions.