Authorities in Northland are warning people not to light any fires in the region during the Easter weekend.
A total fire ban is in place following months of dry conditions.
Principal rural fire officer Kevin Ihaka says people may think of Easter as a time to have a tidy-up bonfire or a final barbecue, but that could be disastrous as the fire risk is extreme.
Dry vegetation is ready to go up the moment a spark hits it, and unpredictable gusty winds in the past two weeks have made matters worse, he says.
Only gas barbecues can be used, and there can be no fire pits, camp fires, rubbish fires, fireworks or hangi.
