New Caledonia's Civil Security organisation has declared a territory-wide fire ban.
The ban exempts the use of fire for cooking in domestic situations.
Aerial view of an area devastated by fire near Noumea, in 2005. Photo: AFP
The declaration was issued after drought conditions on Belep had been deemed as extreme while 80 percent of New Caledonia is at heightened risk.
The authorities said hot, dry and windy weather has already triggered several fires, notably one near Belep that destroyed ten square kilometre of vegetation.
Environmentalists said this has affected areas rich in bio-diversity.
The weather service said so far this year there has been 70 percent less rainfall than normal and every month this year has had a new record high.
