Principal Rural Fire Officer Neville Hills said a stubble burn-off at Kaihiku, between Clinton and Balclutha, spread due to a breach in the fire break and went into an area where timber and straw bales were stored.
Volunteer firefighters from Waiwera South, Balclutha, Clinton, Clutha Valley and Tapanui worked quickly to contain the blaze, which happened last Friday.
Mr Hills said the fire served as a reminder that the entire Clutha district was still in a restricted fire season which meant that a permit was required for all fires in the open air, with a few exceptions, such as barbecues.
He reminded residents permits were now required for burning agricultural crop residues, stubble and straw - a rule change which came into effect when the restricted fire season was declared in December.
''Due to issues with stubble burns in the past few years such as the spread of fire and/or smoke nuisance to motorists, permits are now required for these of fires,'' he said.
The permit system allows a rural fire officer time to inspect the site, check the conditions and give advice to the applicant before the intended burn.
Weather and ground conditions have remained relatively warm and dry and a restricted fire season would stay in place throughout April.
Fire danger information, as well as advice and other information, including fire permit application forms, are on the council's website.
Clutha restricted fire season
A restricted fire season means that permits are required for all fires in the open air, except for the following:
• Barbecues lit in properly constructed containers which are fuelled with gas, solid or liquid fuel.
• Cooking fires at camping sites lit within a concrete or stone surround and with not less than 3m of ground surrounding the container cleared of all combustible materials.
• Hangi/umu no closer than 10m to any building, fence hedge or combustible material, clear area around fire, sufficient water to control fire is to be on hand, and do not leave fire unattended.
• Incinerator fires: the incinerator is designed to prevent escape of fire and ashes, no closer than 5m to buildings or combustible fuel, lit only during daylight hours and extinguished by dark.
• Offal hole: cleared area 30m distant from any other combustible material, lit with positive wind away from danger areas, no burning in wind above 15kmh or within 100m of tussock or sprayed grass.
• Brazier: maintain a 5m area clear of combustible material around brazier, water supply must be available to control spread of fire, do not leave fire unattended.
However, none of these fires are permitted to be lit in high or gusty wind conditions. In all cases, someone has to remain present until the fire is out or cannot spread.
- Source, Clutha District Council
