Dry conditions and a high fire risk has led to Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) declaring a prohibited fire season for its Lakes Zone, which will take effect from today (Thursday 12 March).

The zone, which covers most of the Queenstown Lakes District including the Upper Clutha, is experiencing a late, long and dry "tail" to a relatively cool summer. 

The adjoining Central Fire Zone, which covers the Central Otago District, is already in a prohibited fire season, meaning that outdoor fires are now banned in most of inland Otago.

FENZ district commander Craig Gold said people should not be fooled by the generally lower temperatures of this year’s Otago summer and the occasional rainy days. 

Vegetation in inland Otago is very dry and will burn easily, and March is predicted to be dryer than normal.

"The vegetation across the Lakes Zone is primed and ready to burn,” Craig said.

“The risks and consequences of any fire in these conditions far outweigh any benefit in terms of land management or recreation.

“Community safety is our primary concern and the best way we can keep the community safe in these conditions is to stop fires from starting."

He said there was a near miss on Tuesday with a vegetation fire very close to houses at Arthur’s Point, and an escaped burn-off at Arrow Junction the previous Friday.

Both fires threatened structures, affected walking and cycling trails, and took the efforts of firefighters from several brigades plus helicopters to bring it under control.

Find what fire restrictions apply in each zone here.

PHOTO: Supplied/FENZ