Fire restrictions brought in for much of region

Published date25 January 2023
Publication titleCourier, The
The restricted fire season began on January 20

Mid South Canterbury district manager Rob Hands said that the new measures reflected the elevated fire danger caused by persistent hot, windy conditions and drying vegetation.

Mr Hands said locals understood there was a permanent risk of wildfire in this area, and they had been fielding requests to put restrictions in place so that visitors were made aware of the danger and could avoid accidentally starting a fire.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has imposed the restrictions on the Ashburton High Country, Mackenzie Basin High Country and Hakataramea Valley.

There is already a complete ban on setting off fireworks in the whole of the Mackenzie Basin, while there is a permanent restricted fire season in the Geraldine Forest Zone, Waimate Forest Zone and on all public conservation land.

The restriction comes after South Canterbury residents were asked to take particular care not to spark an unwanted fire last Friday, as the fire danger was expected to rise sharply before the arrival of some forecast showers later...

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