A restricted fire season is in force in Marlborough.

The Selwyn District Council is introducing a restricted fire season from Guy Fawkes Day on Wednesday.

Otago is currently in a restricted fire season, which means any outdoor fire in the region needs a permit.

The principal rural fire officer for the area, Darrin Woods, said a restricted fire season will be declared next week.

People planning open air fires in Central Otago will need a permit from today after a restricted fire season was declared.

While the ban is expected to lift within 24 hours, she said it would be replaced by a restricted fire season.

Fire bans cover most of the country Most of the country is now under either a prohibited or restricted fire ban.

The area was already in a restricted fire season and his brigade was well supplied ahead of an expected busy summer, he said.

Under the restricted fire season, only gas barbecues, crop burn-offs and rubbish fires inside contained drums are allowed in rural areas of Selwyn.

Irvine said a restricted fire season is being considered as Canterbury continues to dry out with warm temperatures expected over most of Labour Weekend.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Darrin Woods said the fire department would introduce a restricted fire season, which meant open air fires would need a permit.