A complete fire ban has been issued for Christchurch.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) deemed Christchurch was at an 'extreme' risk of a fire on and has banned all outdoor fires from midnight on Tuesday.
"The past six weeks have been much drier than normal, and the risk of fire is now extreme," FENZ Metro Area Commander Dave Stackhouse says.
- Dry Canterbury vegetation sparks fire concerns
- Multiple significant fires break out in Canterbury region
"Our focus is on protecting life and property and with no significant rain forecast for the city, we have made the decision to move to a prohibited fire season."
The Port Hills and the Banks Peninsula areas are included in the ban.
A restricted fire season remains in place for the Selwyn, Waimakariri and Hurunui districts. A complete fire ban could be placed in these three districts if the fire risk doesn't ease.
The announcement comes a week after the Tasman fire broke out near Nelson and on the eve of the two year anniversary of the Port Hills Fires.
- Christchurch's Port Hills fire investigation closed, cause undetermined
- Port Hills blaze: The aftermath
- Residents say video shows Christchurch Adventure Park chairlift spreading fire
Members of the public are still allowed to uses some types of fire provided they have a water source close in the case of an emergency.
Gas operated appliances such as barbecues and grills, wood-fire pizza ovens and cultural fires, including hangi's and umu's less than two metres in size can all be operated.
People using machinery or equipment that could spark are asked to take extra care when using it.
Newshub.
