PHOTO: ALLIED MEDIA FILESLingering debris from October’s dramatic storm is fuelling a busier than usual fire season in Southland. Group manager Jodi McHugh said crews had been called out to more vegetation fires than it would normally expect. Ms McHugh cautioned people still disposing of downed vegetation to ensure it was well away from hedgerows as some burn piles had ignited hedges. "Keep checking the burn piles — don’t be complacent. Southland’s summer had provided some regular rain which had limited vegetation fires, but she expected the fire caution would soon change.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 14, 2026 10:39 UTC