The University of Otago yesterday released statistics showing it had only recorded 11 fires in the first three months of this year, a massive 65% drop on the previous low of 31 for the period.
In 2013 and 2014 more than 30 fires were lit in the month of February alone.
University proctor Dave Scott and the Fire Service said it was a case of the message finally getting through that lighting fires was dangerous and would not be tolerated.
Mr Scott said the university's clear message to students that anti-social behaviour would not be tolerated was paying dividends.
''Students lighting or adding to a fire face the very real consequence of being suspended from the university for a semester or longer,'' he said.
The university was continuing to educate students about the issue and Campus Watch staff were going door-to-door speaking to flat occupants and ensuring their smoke alarms were in good working order.
Fire Service East Otago area commander Laurence Voight said the trend had been noticed and they were ''very pleased about it''.
''It shows a level of maturity coming into the student quarter ... that it isn't necessary to have fun by burning things,'' Mr Voight said.
He praised the university's efforts, but also believed two serious incidents last year, a balcony collapse at a surprise Six60 concert and the Castle St fire that left a student with serious injuries, had made an impact.
''It sounds like they have realised you can have fun without necessarily going on a path of destruction and burning couches.''
In the past, firefighters had had bottles thrown at them when arriving in the area to put out fires, which he emphasised were not always lit by students.
That was not happening any more and meant the service could focus on its core business, which was protecting Dunedin people from the risk of fire.
He had always previously feared the Fire Service's resources would be tied up fighting a meaningless couch fire while a person on the other side of town was trapped in a burning house.
Otago University Students' Association student support manager Sage Burke told the Otago Bulletin that since Campus Watch started visiting flats this year, about 30 had signed up to have the New Zealand Fire Service check their smoke alarms and provide fire safety advice.
The centre wanted to hear from any students whose flats did not have smoke alarms, because landlords were legally required to provide them under the Residential Tenancies Act.
