A fire ban is in place in the Far North due to extremely dry conditions.
All fires including hangi, beach fires, and New Year's Eve fireworks are banned, and only gas barbecues are allowed.
A Far North District Council spokesperson, Alison Lees, says there is a serious fire risk through the entire district north of Whangarei.
Ms Lees says even a cigarette butt carelessly discarded is enough to start a fire at the moment.
She says there are fines of up to $2000 dollars for breaking the ban, though she admits it is hard to police.
