The total fire ban covering the Southern rural fire district, excluding the Naseby area, is to be lifted on Monday at 8am after this week's rain eased the danger, but total fire bans around Otago will remain in place.
Queenstown Lakes District principal rural fire officer Gordon Bailey said he and Department of Conservation (Doc) staff would meet on Monday to review the total fire bans in the Queenstown Lakes District and on Doc land. The bans would remain in place until further notice.
Central Otago District principal rural fire officer Owen Burgess was unable to be reached last night, but Central Otago's total fire ban usually stays in place over the summer.
Southern Rural Fire Authority deputy principal rural fire officer Elton Smith said a restricted fire season would be imposed across Southland and the parts of Clutha district for which the authority has jurisdiction, but the total fire ban was still in place in the Naseby area (also part of the Southern rural fire district).
There are fire restrictions in place year-round in the Waitaki District Council area and the Dunedin rural fire district, and there are restrictions in place in the Dunedin City and Clutha District Council areas at present.
