Residents throughout Tauranga City and the Western Bay of Plenty are being asked to apply extreme caution when lighting open air fires, as the region's hot, dry weather continues.

The Western Bay Moana Rural Authority advises fire danger indicators are now in the ‘High' to ‘Very High' range.

Dry conditions could fuel scrub fires this summer.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Alan Pearce is concerned the current weather trend is causing rapid drying of vegetation and grasses across the Western Bay, including urban areas.

'It may be necessary to impose further fire restrictions in the absence of any reasonable rainfall in the next five-to-seven days,” he says.

In the meantime, Alan requests the public take further caution when lighting open air fires.

The best rule in the present circumstances is not to light any fire if there is doubt about control or safety.

'The Rural Fire Authority will not look kindly on any person who, through carelessness or negligence, allows any fire to escape,” adds Alan.

'If you cannot control it, you should not light it and you will be held liable for the costs of extinguishing it and for any damage it causes to anyone else's property.”

Fire permits are currently required in rural areas. Conditions are clearly set out on all permits issued.

The Fire Authority is happy to offer advice to anyone wishing to light fires and can be contacted by phoning: 07 571 8008.