Open fire season begins

CHANGING weather conditions mean a shift to an open fire season for most of Otago.

As of 8am yesterday, Otago moved to an open fire season.

In most parts of the district, permits will no longer be required when lighting openair fires and private use of fireworks was now allowed.

A restricted fire season remained in place within a 1km of all commercial forestry areas.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand district manager Phil Marsh said signs of cooling temperatures, with more dew in the morning and more moisture in the air, reduced the risk for wildfire but did not eliminate it.