The onset of warmer weather has prompted the Clutha District Council to introduce a restricted fire season from Monday.
Permits will be needed for all fires in the open air but with some exceptions.
Principal rural fire officer Selwyn Vigers said certain fires could still be lit.
These included the burning of agricultural crop residues, stubble or straw, provided none were burnt until a ploughed firebreak of at least 10m had been created.
Farmers must also notify the council a day before the planned burn.
Barbecues would also be permitted if they were lit in properly constructed containers fuelled by gas, solid or liquid fuel, while cooking fires at camping sites would also be allowed, provided they were within a concrete or stone surround.
But Mr Vigers emphasised none of those exceptions were allowed in high or gusty winds.
In all cases, he said the person lighting the fire must remain there until it was out or could not spread.
"Anyone else intending to have a fire in the open - in either rural or urban areas- needs to get in touch with council and give at least five working days notice to obtain a fire permit. This will give a rural fire officer time to inspect the site, check the conditions and give advice to the applicant."
Even with a permit, it was the responsibility of those lighting fires to ensure they did not spread, Mr Vigers said.
"Prosecution and cost recovery was still possible if a fire got out of control, even if the fire was of a type allowed to be lit."
