Photo: Fire and Emergency NZFire and Emergency NZ is reminding people in the South Island they must let the service know if they are planning to do burnoffs. Shift manger Lyn Crossan said fire restrictions covered most of the island, so permits were required for burnoffs. Crossan said it was dry in many parts of the South Island but thankfully, it wasn't too hot or windy. Fire and Emergency said last summer, out-of-control land-clearing and camping fires contributed to the destruction of 2070 hectares of bird habitat. Campfires played a part in the destruction of 4725ha of bird habitat, according to Fire and Emergency.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 25, 2019 20:37 UTC