Extreme fire danger in Otago
Fire and Emergency New Zealand have warned that fire danger is very high in large parts of the Otago region over Easter due to high winds and the dry fuels and soil in the region.
These conditions have led to new fire restrictions across the Otago Region from 12pm on Thursday 1 April until 12pm Tuesday 6 April.
What you need to know:
- All fire permits have been suspended in Coastal Zone Dunedin, Clutha including Catlins, Waitaki, Central Zone and Lakes.
- In the Otago Central Zone, open air fires have been prohibited as well as no roadside mowing, no cultivation, no fireworks or pyrotechnic displays and no explosives to be set off. This includes Alexandra, Clyde, Cromwell, Wanaka, Lake Hawea, Naseby, Ranfurly, Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Middlemarch.
Central Otago Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer Bobby Lamont asks anyone who has had a burn in the last seven days to check that these are completely out.
"The strong winds have the potential to reignite any old burn sites so people should check they are fully extinguished. Dig right down into the site, pour water over it and check with the back of your hand there is no heat."
For full details, check out the Fire and Emergency New Zealand site here.
Poll: Should we be giving the green light to new mining projects? 💰🌲
The Environmental Protection Authority announced this week that a proposed mine in Central Otago (near Cromwell) is about to enter its fast-track assessment process. A final decision could come within six months, and if it’s approved, construction might start as early as mid-2026.
We want to know: Should mining projects like this move ahead?
Keen to dig deeper? Mike White has the scoop.
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53.5% Yes
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46.5% No
A riddle to start the festive season 🌲🎁🌟
I'm a fruit. If you take away my first letter, I'm a crime. If you take away my first two letters, I'm an animal. If you take away my first and last letter, I'm a form of music. What am I?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post if you know the answer and the big reveal will be posted in the comments at 2pm on the day!
Want to stop seeing these in your newsfeed?
Head here and hover on the Following button on the top right of the page (and it will show Unfollow) and then click it. If it is giving you the option to Follow, then you've successfully unfollowed the Riddles page.
🚒 Our Fire and Emergency crews have been kept busy lately
And they’re once again reminding everyone: please don’t light fires when it’s windy.
Central Otago will move into a restricted fire season from 1 December 2025, which means anyone planning an outdoor fire will need to apply for a permit and plan ahead.
So we’d love to ask you — how do you make sure you’re being fire-safe at this time of year?
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