A total fire ban will come into force in Christchurch and Banks Peninsula tonight due to an increasing fire risk.
A restricted ban has been in place since mid-January, but with warm weather ahead, the Christchurch City Council has implemented a total ban while dry conditions continue.
Principal Rural Fire Officer Darrin Woods said conditions were unusual for this time of the year, and the ban was to reduce the risk of potentially damaging fires.
Fire permits could still be issued on a case-by-case basis, but would likely be limited to biosecurity and public health related matters, he said.
Gas-fuelled barbecues and gas cookers could still be used.
