A total fire ban for the Wanganui district is likely to remain in force beyond Easter unless more rain falls this autumn.
The ban, prohibiting all fires with the exception of gas barbecues, was put in place late last month.
Wanganui's principal rural fire officer Bernie Rush said that, while a good dumping of rain was recorded in parts of the region last weekend, it did not consistently cover the whole area.
Horizons Regional Council also reiterated yesterday the total fire ban declared for its territory on March 8.
The principal rural fire officer for Ruapehu, Rangitikei, Manawatu and Horowhenua, Brent Fanning, said: "The rain we received was really only enough to provide temporary relief to the high fire danger as opposed to cancelling the threat."