A warning not to light fires from noon today has been issued to Waitaki district residents, because severe northwest winds and dry air have been forecast.
Waitaki emergency services manager Chris Raine yesterday compared the weather expected later today and tomorrow to that of December 21, when the same conditions led to a spate of wildfires throughout the district.
The Met Service has forecast severe northwest gales in inland parts of Southland, Otago and Canterbury, followed by a change to southwest conditions and rain tomorrow night.
