The Otago Rural Fire Authority has asked farmers to carry out their farming activities earlier in the day after mowers caused two large grass fires at Luggate and Tarras on Tuesday afternoon.
About 15ha of farmland was burned in the fires, which began within half an hour of each other and required up to 11 fire appliances, several water tankers and dozens of firefighters to contain.
Authority deputy principal rural fire officer Jamie Cowan said fire crews were on site until about 3am yesterday at both locations, and returned at 7am, remaining throughout the day to monitor hot spots.
He said both fires were caused by sparks from mowing equipment.
''It's a timely reminder that if you're going to use mower, mulcher-type equipment on a hot, dry, windy afternoon in Central Otago, given the fire risk you're certainly pushing your luck.
''If you're carrying out cropping operations, hay, mulching, start early while things are a little bit cooler and try to finish by midday on those particularly dry, hot days.''
Mr Cowan said the fire authority would seek to recover firefighting costs from both blazes.
''It makes for a costly agricultural operation.''
Otago Rural Fire Authority and Department of Conservation firefighters were to remain on site yesterday until they were ''happy and comfortable that all of the hot spots are out'', Mr Cowan said.
