City's fire risk lower than much of Otago's

The fire risk is lower in Dunedin than in other parts of Otago, thanks to occasional rain and high humidity levels, the Dunedin City Council says.

Council civil defence and rural fires manager Neil Brown said the city's fire risk was still moderate to high, but well below levels where announcing a fire ban might be contemplated.

He still did, however, have a warning for Dunedin residents:Despite the moderate risk, there could be short periods where high temperatures, lower humidity and wind could create conditions that would make it more likely for fires to start accidentally and spread more rapidly.

Care should always be exercised with ignition sources and when carrying out permitted burns.

The council had a series of automatic weather stations around rural areas that enabled staff to closely monitor fire-risk conditions, Mr Brown said.

debbie.porteous@odt.co.nz