Fire and Emergency New Zealand is enforcing a total fire ban on open-air fires in the Southern Hawkes Bay Coast and Porangahau zones of Hawke’s Bay. This takes effect from 8am on Friday 19 December, until further notice.

During a prohibited fire season, no fires are allowed in the open and all fire permits are suspended.

Announcing the fire season changes, District Manager Tony Kelly says the new prohibited fire season zones will join the Ahuriri-Heretaunga and Tukituki East zones of Hawke’s Bay, which are already in a prohibited fire season.

"These areas are experiencing prolonged dry conditions and warm weather," Tony Kelly says.

"There is also no rainfall forecast for the coming weeks, which means the risk of a fire starting and getting out of control has become too great."

Hawke’s Bay’s Tararua East zone is also moving into a restricted fire season from 8am Friday 19 December, until further notice.

"A restricted fire season means anyone who wants to light an open-air fire will need to obtain a permit, which you can apply for at www.checkitsalright.nz.

"This area has also seen consistently warm days and not much rain, and this is set to continue," Tony Kelly says.

"Go to checkitsalright.nz and enter your address to find out what fire season you are in, and, if you are allowed to light an open-air fire, what conditions you must meet to light one."

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