Extremely dry conditions have resulted in the Waitaki rural fire authority imposing a prohibited fire season in the district.
The fire ban, which cancels any burning permits already issued, comes into force at midnight tomorrow.
So far, there has been a restricted fire season in the district with permits being issued for burn-offs in irrigated areas.
But the situation has worsened.
The prohibited fire season bans all fires in the open air until further notice.
The only exemptions are gas-fuelled barbecues and gas cookers.
