Wellington District community risk manager Phil Soal says the lack of recent rainfall and windy conditions has ratcheted up the risk. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
All outdoor fires without a permit will be banned in the greater Wellington region from Tuesday morning, due to the heightened risk of a blaze getting out of control.
Fire and Emergency said from 8am on Tuesday Wellington's city suburbs, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa will enter "a restricted season", which means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will first need to apply for a permit.
Porirua and the Kāpiti Coast have been in a restricted season since 28 January.
Wellington District community risk manager Phil Soal said the lack of recent rainfall and windy conditions had ratcheted up the risk.
"The vegetation has dried out and the fire danger is now high, meaning any escaping fires will be fast moving and difficult to control and extinguish," he said.
"People will need a permit to light a fire, and they will need to comply with any conditions set out.
"This is a very risky time of year for wildfires, so we're asking everyone to help us keep Wellington District's people, property and environment safe from fires this summer."
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