A restricted fire season has been introduced in Canterbury's Selwyn district as weather conditions continue to become drier.
The fire risk in Selwyn has increased over recent weeks as weather conditions have become drier and it was now appropriate to introduce a restricted fire season to reduce the fire danger, Selwyn Principal Rural Fire Officer Douglas Marshall said.
People considering lighting a fire should always check what safety guidelines they must meet, he said.
Over summer people may see crop residue fires burning but they should consider whether a fire is an emergency before calling emergency services.
Fire services were often called to attend to rural fires that were being supervised and managed appropriately, which was expensive and time consuming for volunteer fire fighters, Mr Marshall said.
