The North Island's been slapped with wide spread fire bans due to what's being described as bone dry conditions leading to high risk areas.

LISTEN ABOVE: Pumicelands Rural Fire Authority boss Paul Wright talks to Chris Lynch about the North Island's fire bans.

Northland and the Far North have been under bans since early last week.

Pumicelands Rural Fire Authority boss Paul Wright told Chris Lynch they've followed suit, with a total fire ban now in place in his area.

He said that area covers the Bay of Plenty coast through to Taupo where there are a couple of scrub fires burning at the moment.

"People who do have existing fire permits are likely to be contacted in the next 24 hours to have those permits cancelled or suspended until we get some rain."