Firefighters are on edge and taking all precautions as a ''spike day'' hits Otago today.
Temperatures in the mid-20s, wind gusts of 130kmh and low humidity are expected to combine this morning to create an extreme fire risk throughout the region.
It comes a fortnight after two major rural fires destroyed buildings and trees and led to evacuations at Saddle Hill and near Dunback.
The Otago Rural Fire Authority issued a warning yesterday about the region-wide ''spike day'', with the fire danger moving from moderate to extreme throughout Otago.
It urged residents to be wary of lighting fires because of the difficulty of containing them in today's conditions.
''We are always nervous with these sort of conditions,'' Otago Rural Fire Authority deputy principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said.
Emergency services were prepared for any fires which might break out, he said.
The authority imposed a restricted season in the Lakes, Central, Coastal and Clutha fire zones during the weekend, meaning all open fires in the area - which covered from Duntroon in the north to Kaka Point in the south and east to Queenstown, Wanaka and Omarama - could only be lit with a permit.
Only the Catlins fire zone remained in an open fire season.
A Fire Service spokesman said Outram firefighters attended two unpermitted rural fires on Monday night.
Both were extinguished.
MetService meteorologist Rob Kerr said a strong wind warning was in place for Otago, Southland and Canterbury today.
Gusts of 130kmh were forecast and in exposed areas of high country gales could reach 140kmh, Mr Kerr said.
High temperatures were also forecast, with 23degC predicted for Dunedin and Clyde and 25degC in Mosgiel and on the Taieri.
The strong northwesterly winds would turn into strong southwesterlies by evening, he said.
Small falls of rain were also forecast for the evening, but nothing to allay the fire danger.
Strong westerly winds would persist through the weekend and continue to elevate the fire risk.
Weather woes could also extend to waterways, with heavy rainfall in the eastern South Island expected to affect rivers in Otago and Southland.
''We could see rivers rising rapidly ... when the front comes through late on Wednesday,'' he said.
The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research is predicting one of the driest summers on record as El Nino grips the country, meaning further headaches for firefighters.
Mr Still said the authority would be exercising caution with the recently burnt areas near Dunback and at Saddle Hill.
''We are aware of it, so we have got measures in place,'' he said.
''Anything that's been lit or has been on fire, there's potential if it hasn't completely extinguished for something to happen.''
Both fires raged over more than 100ha and firefighters remained on the scene of the Dunback blaze through to last week mopping up hot spots.
''We have gone over the fire ground [in Dunback], put the cameras over it ... and we have had nothing showing for about six or seven days,'' he said.
''But you just don't know until you get a lot of rain. It's a bit of 'never say never until you have a lot of rain'.''
Firefighters were also being cautious with Saddle Hill.
''I'm pretty confident that there isn't anything at Saddle Hill,'' he said.
''I don't think there's anything to fear, but again it only takes something that's the size of a thumbnail.''
