A total fire ban will come into force in Wanganui tomorrow as the fire risk is bumped up to extreme.
With no rainfall falling in the district so far this year, lighting fires will be prohibited from midnight on Wednesday.
Wanganui Area commander and principal rural fire officer Bernie Rush said no new fire permits will be issued and all existing permits are cancelled until the fire ban is lifted.
"We don't want anyone using the public barbecues at Kai Iwi or Lake Wiritoa and rural officers will be patrolling the beaches to make sure no-one is lighting open fires.
"It has been illegal to light fires on the beaches in the district for years but there are always a few people who disregard the rules and we have had a few this summer."