Rural fire crews across the Horizons Regional Council's region have attended 18 fires since Christmas as the lower North Island dries out.
Horizons' principal rural fire officer, Paul Chaffe, said recent hot, dry weather had increased the rural fire risk. In the Wanganui district, the fire risk was recently increasedfrom moderate to high.
"We have had three significant fires since Christmas involving areas up to six hectares in size," Mr Chaffe said.
"The longest fire to date was eight hours and the majority have been grass and scrub with some commercial forest involvement. The water tanker has been called out eight times and helicopter twice."
Mr Chaffe said if people had to burn in a rural area, permits were required from tomorrow.
The current hot, dry weather is causing rivers and streams in many parts of the Horizons region to run low which means consent holders are encouraged to be proactive about saving water as restrictions take effect.
Restrictions are now in place for the smaller streams of the Tararua district, but parts of the Manawatu, Wanganui and Rangitikei catchments are also being monitored closely.
There are no water restrictions in the urban Wanganui area, although automatic garden sprinklers may only be used between 7pm and 9pm. -For up to date information about fire and water restrictions please visit Horizons' website www.horizons.govt.nz.
