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Total fire ban issued for Southland following sweltering heats

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sun, 14 Jan 2018, 8:32PM
The mercury hit 32 degrees today (Image / Getty Images)
The mercury hit 32 degrees today (Image / Getty Images)

Total fire ban issued for Southland following sweltering heats

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff,
Publish Date
Sun, 14 Jan 2018, 8:32PM

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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