26 March 2001

The extreme hot weather this year has resulted in the Christchurch City Council extending the ban on lighting of fires in the open air.

The ban has been extended to the end of April, but it will be lifted earlier if weather conditions change making it is safe to lift the ban.

Any earlier lifting of the ban will be publicly advertised.

The extension of the ban is the result of weeks of warm, dry weather keeping the fire risk at extreme levels.

It is in addition to the blanket ban on all fires in the Canterbury region announced on Sunday by the National Rural Fire Authority.

Any person lighting a fire in contravention of the ban faces prosecution and a fine of up to $500 as well as possible claims for damages arising as a result of the fire. 

Further information:

Officers Responsible:

• Urban Area - Willis Heney, Team Leader Environmental Monitoring (941 8732) 
• Rural Area - Keith Marshall, Deputy Rural Fire Officer (025 336 1367 or 9418781).

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