Fire restrictions in place in Stratford and rest of Taranaki

A significant dry spell means fire restrictions are now in place across Taranaki. Photo / Bevan Conley

Fire restrictions are now in force across the entire Taranaki District.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand imposed the restriction from 8am on Monday morning , along with restrictions for the Ruapehu and Whanganui districts.

Gavin Pryce, deputy principal rural fire officer for Whanganui, Ruapehu and Taranaki, said the restrictions were a product of the current weather conditions.

"We've had a significant dry period without significant rain, therefore the vegetation - and grasses in particular - dry up, which increases the risk of fire, or the likelihood of being unable to control fire."

The restrictions mean a permit is needed for open-air fires.

Permits are not required for lighting a gas cooker, gas or charcoal barbecue, heater, hāngī, brazier or pizza oven. However, when lighting a fire for a hāngī and a brazier, the hāngī must be less than two square metres and a brazier no larger than half a metre.

A fire cannot be lit in a hāngī, brazier or a pizza oven within 3m of a building, hedge, shelter belt or other combustible material. A hose or another form of extinguishing the fire must be within 5m.