Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) has moved Central Otago from a prohibited fire season to restricted.

The recent move to restricted limitations means fires now require a permit before they can be lit.

Previously, Central was in a prohibited fire season due to the particularly dry conditions, which meant there was a total ban on open-air fires, and all previously granted fire permits were suspended.

Fenz is also revoking the restricted fire season in the Queenstown Lakes fire zone from 8am today (Sunday), until further notice.

It means people in the zone no longer need to have a fire permit by Fenz to light a fire outdoors.

Declaring the fire season change, Otago District manager Phil Marsh said recent rain and cooler autumn temperatures had seen the fire risk drop below the thresholds that require ongoing fire permitting restrictions.

“While permits are no longer required to light an open-air fire (in the Queenstown Lakes District), our local team remains on hand to provide advice to anyone looking to complete a burn,” he said.

“Even with those cooler temperatures, vigilance around fire safety is important.

“For Otago, any period of dry, settled weather at any time of year can increase the potential for unwanted fires. Escaped burns are a major contributor to this, so knowing how to burn safely is key.”

Fenz advisor risk reduction Otago District Mark Mawhinney said everyone should visit the organisation’s Check It’s Alright website to better understand what they can and cannot do on any given day.