Two large fires burning through scrub in the South Island have been extinguished despite tinder-dry and windy conditions. ANDY JACKSON/STUFF Emergency services fought two large scrub fires in the South Island on Thursday. Conditions in the Gibbston Valley were "hot, dry and windy", making for "very dangerous fire conditions", he said. Open air fires have already been prohibited in Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago due to the hot, dry conditions. Gibbston Valley is a world-renowned wine-growing area known for experiencing cold winters, hot and dry summers and a huge night-to-day temperature range.

Source: Stuff January 30, 2020 02:05 UTC