The Department of Conservation (DOC) is closing a road through Molesworth Station in Marlborough due to extreme fire danger in the area.
Renwick Partnerships ranger Clare Moore said the early closure of Acheron Road , from Feburary 4, was necessary to protect the station's working farm and natural and historic features from fire.
DOC said if the fire risk reduced significantly in the next few weeks, the road might re-open during the current open season, which ended on April 12.
Meanwhile, a total fire ban had been declared in the Horowhenua district from midnight tonight because of tinder dry conditions.
A Horowhenua District Council spokesperson said the only exception to the rule was for barbecues lit in properly constructed containers and fueled with gas or liquid fuel.
The lighting of any fire including braziers and cooking fires was not allowed and any unlawful activity would be prosecuted.
It said the prohibited fire season covered the entire district including DOC land bordering the district and all beaches.
Water restrictions were also now in place because of the lack of rainfall.
That included garden sprinklers being used only from 5am to 9am and from 7pm to 9pm at night on alternate days.
