The late summer is causing the fire risk in inland South Canterbury and North Otago to rocket, leading to total fire bans in some areas.
Rural fire authorities say substantial rain is needed to offset more than three weeks of high temperatures which have dried out inland areas after a wet January.
In the Waitaki district, emergency services manager Chris Raine said the fire risk west of Lake Benmore was very high and moving to extreme.
In the inland area burning permits are being issued only after individual inspections of properties.
The danger in the coastal area is high and permits for burning are still being issued in irrigated areas.
Outside the irrigated areas, permits are being issued individually, after inspections.
"If we don't get significant rain in the next two weeks, then we are looking at a total fire ban," Mr Raine said yesterday.
However, Mr Raine said the Waitaki district was "reaping a lot of benefit" from educating farmers about fire risks.
"Farmers know what they need to do and they are very conscientious about the danger," he said.
South Canterbury principal rural fire officer Rob Hands administers the Timaru, Waimate and Mackenzie districts and said fires were prohibited in the Mackenzie, Hakataramea and Rangitata Gorge areas where the fire risk was extreme.
In the coastal areas, the fire risk was very high.
"It varies from day to day, depending on the weather.
"We need a lot of rain for the situation to ease," he said.
Canterbury rural fire co-ordinating committee spokesman Tony Teeling said earlier rainfall throughout the region led to a very good growing season.
Excess vegetation was drying off now and providing an excellent fuel source for fires.
"Right now, everything is drying out and the risk of fires starting and becoming a large fire is very high.
"We are asking Cantabrians to take special care during this time to ensure they do not inadvertently start a fire," Mr Teeling said.
There was a total fire ban in central and southern areas of the high country and parts of Banks PeninsulaIn these areas, no fires in the open air were allowed.
Fire restrictions were now in force throughout most of the Canterbury region and fires could not be lit in the open without a permit, although there were exceptions in some areas.
