Federated Farmers is warning more areas will face fire bans and restrictions as dry conditions set in.
The Otago Rural Fire Authority introduced a total fire ban across most of the region from 6am today, which means no campfires, fireworks, rubbish or scrub-clearance fires.
Fire bans are already in place in Canterbury and there are restrictions in Wairarapa.
Federated Farmers' fire spokesperson Anders Crofoot said rural people were usually very aware of the risks and acted responsibly.
"It's actually just common sense. When things really dry out like this, even when you want to get jobs done like burning brush piles or clearing up crop residue or things like that, it's just too risky when it gets this dry."
Mr Crofoot, who is a rural fire chief in Wairarapa, said there had been several roadside fires recently caused by hot car mufflers.
