Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has issued an Extreme Fire Danger warning for Central Otago from now until Thursday.

Otago district will be experiencing high fire danger conditions with hot weather and high winds from Tuesday January 26 until Thursday January 28. 

FENZ is asking people to refrain from creating sparks, such mowing, grinding, welding, or lighting any fires and to check all old fire sites.  

According to the FENZ website, the area around Omakau, Alexandra, and Clyde is listed as Extreme Fire Danger, with the rest of Central Otago listed as high. 

Tomorrow, the whole region is expected to be in extreme fire danger. 

Fire and Emergency New Zealand has issued an Extreme Fire Danger warning for Central Otago for this week. Image courtesy FENZ. 

Fenz Otago district principal rural fire officer Graeme Still says from Tuesday through to Thursday, there’s an increase in temperatures and wind which will lift the fire danger up to extreme””. 

“If we have an ignition, we’ll have difficulty putting those fires out at that time,” Graeme says. “It’s not a good recipe. 

“People just have to be aware that activities you could have carried out yesterday for example, you can't do Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday - like mowing, welding, grinding, and so on. 

“Obviously we don’t want people burning anything too. 

“We would just love people to hold off from doing those things for a few days. 

“Anything that creates sparks, we don’t want anyone doing.” 

Weather for Central Otago for the next week, which includes high winds and warm temperatures for Tuesday and Wednesday. Image courtesy MetService.  

The Emergency alert website, Gets Ready, sent out a warning to registered residents of the area this morning. 

“Otago District will be experiencing high fire danger conditions with hot weather and high winds from tomorrow TUESDAY 26th January until THURSDAY 28th January. 

“Fire and Emergency NZ ask people to refrain from lighting any fires and check all old fire sites. 

“For more information please contact Fire and Emergency NZ on 0800 673 473 or visit https://fireandemergency.nz .”

“If you see smoke or fire and believe there's a risk to people or property, call 111 and ask for 'Fires' immediately. If you're not sure whether it's a real emergency or not, call 111 and ask. 

“When in doubt, call 111. 

“Please pass this information onto neighbours and those in your community that may not have Gets Ready or internet access.” 

If you do not have Gets Ready, click here to sign up. 

Advertisement