If you live in the Tararua district it's time to put your matches and lighters down as the region is now in a prohibited fire season. The restriction came into effect on Monday morning, following on from Wairarapa, which went into prohibited fire season last week and Hawke's Bay on Monday. "Only gas and charcoal barbecues can be used while a prohibited fire season is in place." John Hawkins The Tararua district has now banned fires as the North Island continues to dry out. Referring to Tararua district, Pyatt urged who used machinery that could spark to use it either in the morning, evening, or cooler parts of the day.

Source: Stuff February 11, 2020 00:11 UTC