District manager Wipari Henwood says it is too dangerous to light any outdoor fires. Photo: RNZ/Sally Round
The whole Northland region will be under a total fire ban from midnight Saturday over dangerous fire conditions.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has extended the prohibited fire season - already in place for some areas - over the dry, hot and windy conditions.
District manager Wipari Henwood said it was too dangerous to light any outdoor fires.
"We have a huge fire risk at present and all of the recent fires are taking their toll on our firefighters.
"Over 90 percent of Northland's firefighters are volunteers, so the constant call-outs don't just have an impact on them but on their families and their employers or their own businesses too."
Henwood said to avoid activities that generate sparks including grinding, mowing, welding and using chainsaws until there has been significant rain.
"It only takes one spark to ignite a fire in these conditions. People have the best of intentions, but the consequences are severe when a fire starts.
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