A total fire ban across Southland takes effect from midnight tonight - in the aftermath of today’s top temperature of 32 degrees.
Elton Smith, Principal Rural Fire Officer for the area, says there is an extreme fire risk for the next two days, with the forecast for even higher temperatures as well as wind.
Mr Smith says there have been five vegetation fires today, and they are expecting more in the next couple of days.
The total fire ban means no outdoor fires are allowed, and any existing permits for fires are cancelled.
Gas BBQs are the only exception - and they must be kept well away from anything that can catch fire.
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