The Thames Coromandel and North Waikato districts moved to a restricted fire season from 9am on Friday 16 February, until further notice.
A restricted fire season means a permit is required to light an open-air fire.
The restricted fire season covers all areas including Thames-Coromandel, Hauraki, Matamata-Piako, Waikato and Hamilton City.
District Manager Daryl Trim said the fire risk had increased with the warm dry weather and was now at the level where Fire and Emergency New Zealand could work with landowners by issuing them permits to help them safely manage their fires.
“Please head to www.checkitsalright.nz which will take you through a few easy steps to get permitted for your fire,” Daryl Trim said.
“If you don’t have internet access you can phone 0800 658 628 to apply for a permit,” he said.
The website also provided information on how to light open-air fires more safely.
“We will continue to monitor the weather and the fire risk as it is expected conditions may start to dry out further,” he said.
“Please do the right thing and apply for a permit to help keep yourselves and your community safe when using fire”.
