Total fire ban for city; care urged

A total fire ban has been declared for Dunedin for the first time since 2004, with residents reminded to be extra careful when disposing of cigarette butts, or using lawnmowers during the dry conditions.

The prohibited fire season begins today for the entire Dunedin City Council area, and long-range forecasts offered little relief, Civil Defence and Rural Fires manager Neil Brown said.

The last total fire ban for the city was imposed on January 8, 2004, and lasted six and a-half weeks.

"We have had a good history of people respecting total fire bans in Dunedin," Mr Brown said.

Such a ban was enforced for the Strath Taieri area from December 8 to January 23, but recent dry conditions had resulted in a total fire ban being imposed for the city, he said.

All rural fire permits had been suspended and no new permits or renewals would be accepted, he said.

The ban would affect several hundred permits, largely for burn-offs at rural properties.

In addition, the Department of Conservation has suspended all fire permits under its control.

No outdoor fires can be lit, and charcoal and wood-fired barbecues, braziers, incinerators, campfires and thermettes are prohibited until the ban is lifted.

Mr Brown also asked smokers to be careful when disposing of cigarette butts during the dry conditions.

Users of petrol chainsaws, mowers and off-road vehicles also posed a high risk.

Gas barbecues and cookers can be used, but people must keep them clear of combustible materials.

Members of the public are asked to call 111 immediately if they notice a fire, and not to assume any rainfall would mean a lifting of the ban, which will be advertised by way of a public notice.

Mr Brown said ground crews were continuing to dampen down hot spots and restrict flare-ups in the Mount Allan forestry area, which was the scene of a large fire last month.