Canterbury will enter a restricted fire season from 11.59pm on Monday, 15 December, until further notice.

A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a fire permit authorised by Fire and Emergency New Zealand, which can be applied for at www.checkitsalright.nz.

Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse says the fire danger has increased quickly this summer.

"The trend is for sustained warm weather and strong winds in the immediate future which is going to accelerate the fire danger."

Dave Stackhouse says there have been a disappointing number of recent wildfire incidents due to people ignoring basic fire safety advice.

"Reignition of previous burns or burnoffs getting out of control should not occur if people follow the safety advice on www.checkitsalright.nz.

"Having a restricted fire season allows us to limit the number of these kinds of fires.

"It gives us greater control of who can burn and when, and we can provide direct fire safety advice to those completing burns."

For those that have already conducted a burn, Dave Stackhouse says people must keep an eye on them.

"Even if you believe the fire is extinguished, it can still be active underground.

"You should continue to monitor the fire site as a fire you lit remains your responsibility."

Note: Fire and Emergency’s Canterbury District runs from Kekerengu to north of Rakaia river.

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