PHOTO: CHRISTINE O'CONNORNearly 40 fire trucks and tankers were needed across the South this afternoon as high temperatures and strong winds whipped up flames from Mackenzie Country to the Southland plains. Fire permits were suspended across Otago, and people should not even think about lighting new fires, Mr McIntosh said. Before the hot, windy conditions eased about 3pm, 37 appliances and tankers were in the field at the same time fighting fires. Strong winds were preventing helicopters from being used to fight most fires, he said. By 3pm conditions were beginning to ease, with higher humidity and lower winds, and crews had contained the fire within a cordon.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 04, 2021 04:42 UTC