No fire permits will be issued in most of Otago from today.
Principal Rural Fire Officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the fluctuating fire danger in Otago this year prompted the Otago Rural Fire Authority to adopt a ‘‘no fire permit'' policy for most of the region for the holiday period.
‘‘The exception to this policy is the Catlins area, which remains in an open fire season.''
No fire permits for the remaining areas would be issued from today.
New permits would be issued from January 11, but the decision would be weather dependent, she said.
A hold on fire permits has been standard practice in the Central Otago and Waitaki Lakes area but was a new policy for much of Coastal Otago, she said.
‘‘The Christmas period is one of our busiest times of the year for both fire and non-fire incidents,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
‘‘We want to keep our resources available for emergencies, not attending to escaped permitted burns.''
The fire danger in Otago continued to vary day-to-day, with conditions changing from moderate to extreme depending on wind, relative humidity and temperature.
Overall conditions remained dry and the fire weather indices were on par with the El Nino season of 1997-98.
‘‘All indicators suggest that if a wildfire does start in any part of Otago, it will be difficult to contain,'' Dr Rotarangi said.
‘‘An early response to fires will make a difference this season. With no fire permits issued, the public can be confident in their actions - if you see smoke, dial 111 immediately.''
