22 Jan 2020

Total fire ban for Canterbury region

4:04 pm on 22 January 2020

Canterbury's fire season is being upgraded to a total fire ban.

There has been no heavy rain in the area since June of last year.

Fire and Emergency says Canterbury is very dry. Photo: RNZ / Patrick Phelps

The region has been in a restricted season since November and from Friday night, a total fire ban will apply in Selwyn, Waimakariri, Christchurch and Hurunui.

It means any fire permits also will be suspended.

Fire and Emergency says Canterbury is very dry.

The acting Principal Rural Fire Officer, Al Hutt, said there had been a few vegetation fires get out of hand recently, which needed significant resources to bring under control.

He said it was important that people carefully considered the dangers of activities involving machinery.

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