Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is asking holidaymakers and locals alike to take particular care not to spark an unwanted fire in Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes areas today (Thursday December 29).

FENZ is predicting it will be a ‘spike day’ when the fire danger rises sharply before dropping back again.

Otago community risk manager James Knapp said the overall fire risk in the region is in the moderate-to-high range, where care is always needed, but in some areas the risk will rise to very high or even extreme today, before dropping back again on Friday.

"On Monday we had a ‘near miss’ on Queenstown Hill, and it was only thanks to the efforts of the volunteer fire brigades that homes weren’t damaged or destroyed. 

“It shows just how quickly a small fire can grow into a blaze and be very difficult to bring under control," James said.

There are year-round fire bans in some parts of Otago and temporary fireworks bans in others, but people are asked to take particular care with all open fires today, even in areas currently without restrictions. 

This includes activities like mowing or welding, that can generate sparks, as well as lighting campfires or bonfires.