Roadside mowing is on hold in the Queenstown Lakes district until the parched region gets some rain.
Announcing the move yesterday, the Queenstown Lakes District Council said the risk of sparks from mowing was too high as continuing dry weather and hot temperatures kept the fire risk high.
General manager property and infrastructure Peter Hansby said mowing long grass on road verges had the potential to cause sparks if the machinery hit rocks.
"While we accept that halting mowing is a reduction in our levels of service, this simply isn’t a risk we’re willing to take until we get some significant rain."
The council was also considering a halt to mowing at its parks and reserves. Otago principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said conditions throughout the province were "some of the driest we’ve seen in years".
"There is a very real danger of inadvertently starting a fire simply maintaining your property. Anyone should think twice about mowing their lawns or using any outdoor machinery that could create a spark, at least until after the next good rain."
Otago is subject to a prohibited fire season, which means a permit is required for any open air fire.
