“We’ve had a few real scares in the last few weeks and everyone really needs to take care,” Mr Marshall says. “Don’t be careless with anything that might light a fire in the first place and we especially need to watch young people with matches and lighters.”

Christchurch has a total fire ban, which is likely to remain at least until the end of April. Anything other than a gas-fired barbeque around the home, and within reach of a garden hose, is a potential risk.

“Another thing to remember is to report any fire, or anything that looks like a fire, immediately,” Mr Marshall says. “Don’t assume someone else is doing it. The fuel’s so ready, if one gets away it won’t be a little spot fire. It’ll be a big one, particularly if there’s any wind.

“Even if we get a couple of day’s drizzle or rain, it won’t fix it because another couple of fine days and it’s ready to go again,” Mr Marshall says. “Until the grass is green again there’s every likelihood of more fires.”

• A national campaign is under way to encourage people with old yellow fire extinguishers to replace them with newer, more environmentally friendly equipment. Yellow extinguishers contain a gas which is harmful to the earth’s ozone layer and are no longer being serviced in New Zealand. To find out more about how to safely get rid of old yellow extinguishers, call 0800 HALONHELP.