"Significant and sustained rain'' would be required to lift the prohibited fire season in place across all of Otago, the rural fire authority says.
Otago Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said the fire season status was reviewed daily.
There were several variables involved in assessing the fire season including wind, rain and the daily forecast weather conditions, which helped determine ''ignition potential'', she said.
''There are different dangers and different time lags.''
The prohibited season would be lifted when possible, she said.
''My gut feeling is that for most of Otago the fire restriction will be in place for another four weeks.''
