Despite a wet November and wintry start to December a restricted fire season still applies, year-round in the Queenstown Lakes District, QLDC principal rural fire officer Gordon Bailey said.

Open fires anywhere in the district required a permit, from CivicCorp for urban areas, from Lakes Contract Services for rural areas and townships and from the Department of Conservation if within a kilometre of DOC land.

"Even if you are issued with a permit you can expect a number of conditions to ensure the burn is heavily controlled," Mr Bailey said.

Barbeques in a controlled residential environment were permitted.

"We will be keeping a watchful eye on the situation over Christmas. It's not without possibility that we will need to enforce a fire ban at some stage over the summer," Mr Bailey said.

A ban meant no permits would be issued and any current permits, withdrawn. At this time last year a ban was in place.

"Although we have yet to go down that track, people still need to be vigilant, particularly when using chainsaws, gas barbeques in open areas and when disposing of cigarette butts," he said.

It was also timely to remind visitors to Pig and Pigeon Islands on Lake Wakatipu and Ruby Island on Lake Wanaka that a total fire ban applied year round to those recreation areas.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 03 441 0499

By: Sarah