Otago Rural Fire Authority deputy principal rural fire officer Pete Scarlet, of Alexandra, said three farmers had lit fires on three rural properties in Central Otago during the past week: one in Tarras and one in Naseby yesterday, and one in the Lindis area last week.
All were rubbish fires and none of them got out of control, but fire crews still had to attend each incident and extinguish the fires, as required during a total fire ban, Mr Scarlet said.
He said landowners who lit fires during a total fire ban could be liable for the costs of fighting those fires, and the fire authority would decide within the next month whether to charge costs to the three farmers.
The costs of extinguishing fires of the size on the three properties could be about $5000 per fire, Mr Scarlet said.
He said it was vital to remember that, while the three fires had not got out of control, all large fires started with small ones, and the costs of fighting an ``out of control'' fire could reach millions of dollars.
He also urged farmers and other Central Otago residents to remember that all rural and town fire crews in Central Otago were volunteers. About 25 volunteer officers in five crews had attended last week's fires.
``So it's about being aware of the volunteers that have to go out there, too.''
A total fire ban had been in place in Central Otago since January 14. The only permitted fires were those in a gas barbecue, Mr Scarlet said.
Central Otago was the only region in Otago and Southland to have a total fire ban so far this summer, but typically had a total fire ban from December to February each year, so there was ``no excuse'' for landowners to claim they did not know about it, Mr Scarlet said.
He said recent rain in the district may have lulled farmers into a ``false sense of security'' and made them think it was all right to start lighting fires again.
However, once long grass had died, or ``cured'', it remained that way, even after rain, and was an extreme fire risk.
``Once grass dries, that's it, it's that dead fuel that burns ... We get knocked back with a wee bit of rain, but it only takes one hot windy day and we're back to an extreme fire risk.''
He urged all those uncertain of whether they were allowed to light a fire to contact the Otago Rural Fire Authority by telephone or check its website.
