Central Otago and the Upper Waitaki will move to a restricted fire season on Monday.
And given the spate of vegetation fires across the rest of Otago and Southland on Thursday, a decision about moving to a restricted fire season in the rest of the southern regions will be made early next week.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand community risk manager James Knapp said Central Otago and the Upper Waitaki were already very dry and the rest of the region was not far behind.
"We're hovering right over the triggers. We’re just crossing through the triggers for a restricted fire season right now.
"We were deliberating about whether to move to a restricted fire season in Otago and Southland this week, but we'll probably revisit it early next week because the conditions are getting pretty dry everywhere now.
"There has been rain, but the overall trend has been slightly drier than normal, plus of course wind, which draws moisture back out of the soil."
Mr Knapp said the fire risk typically increased at this time of year as vegetation dried out and temperatures rose.
"As summer progresses, escaped fires tend to become harder to bring under control and take longer to completely extinguish."
Anyone planning to light an outdoor fire would need a permit from Fenz, with conditions that would minimise the risk of fires escaping or reigniting, he said.
"The process of applying for a permit enables us to give support and practical advice to people who need to light fires, so they can do this safely, taking precautions against fires escaping and being aware of the weather."
A restricted fire season covered most kinds of outdoor fires, including land management fires and bonfires.
There were a small number of exceptions, including cultural fires like hangi and umu, he said.
Mr Knapp urged people to visit www.checkitsalright.nz which has full details of activities that need a permit in a restricted season and detailed advice about how to use fire safely.
