People rushing to burn off vegetation before fire restrictions came in at noon on Monday in the Far North caused a series of wild fires across the district.
Firefighters responded to blazes at Kohukohu, Te Tii, Kaitaia, Kawakawa and Wainui Bay during the weekend. Most were the result of rubbish fires or burn-offs which spread out of control in the strong winds.
Only a roadside fire at Kohukohu on Saturday evening, which took almost two hours to put out, was deemed suspicious.
Prinicpal Rural Fire Officer Myles Taylor said people seemed to fear the start of fire restrictions and rushed to get their burning done, even in dangerous conditions like last weekend's.
It was unnecessary because the authority was issuing fire permits and they cost nothing.