Hot, dry, and windy El Niño weather conditions are increasing the risk of scrub and bush fires this summer and Rotorua residents are being asked to take special care.
Rotorua Lakes Council's Rural Fire Zone manager Richard Horn said Rotorua district's current restricted fire season would remain in place until at least April next year.
"This means fires can't be lit in any rural areas - including incinerator fires, barbecues and hangi - unless a permit has been granted by the council. The only exceptions are domestic gas fired barbecues."
"And if conditions worsen there is the likelihood that we may need to stop issuing permits altogether for a period of time, and cancel all existing permits as well," he said.
The fire service had already fought some difficult scrub fires this season which put people's safety and property at risk with the potential for more serious consequences if they'd got out of hand.