Recent snow and rain have done little to ease dry conditions in Central Otago and Upper Clutha and a restricted fire season has been imposed in those areas.
The changed status took effect from Monday, Otago Rural Fire Authority principal rural fire officer Stephanie Rotarangi said.
''It will still be dry, despite the recent snow and the rain, as things have been getting quite dry,'' she said.
''Traditionally, the start of October is when Central Otago would usually move into a restricted fire season and it's been a dry winter this year, so looking at the conditions out there, the restriction will apply.''
The area concerned is known as the Central zone. Under the new fire authority, the old geographic boundaries had gone, Dr Rotarangi said.
However, the Central zone, which was the subject of the restricted fire season, covered all of Central Otago and some of Upper Clutha.
The exact area could be seen on a map on the authority's website, or on maps at the Central Otago District Council headquarters.
Under the restricted fire season, anyone wanting to light fires in the open air had to apply for a permit from the authority.
''There's been quite a few burn-offs in the high country when there was an open fire season, but now they'll need a permit.''
People might be lulled into a false sense of security, thinking the recent rain and snow had alleviated the potential fire risk, she said.
''There's been three reasonably big fires in our patch in recent times, so even at this time of the year, you have to be cautious of fire.''
Otago is the country's largest rural fire authority, covering about 4.2 million hectares.
Six rural fire authorities managed by Otago's local authorities and the Department of Conservation merged to form the new organisation, which will took effect from July 1.
The fire authorities were the Central Otago, Clutha, Queenstown Lakes, and Waitaki district councils, the Dunedin City Council and Doc.
