All of the Tairāwhiti District will move back into an open fire season at 8am on Saturday 5 March.
An open fire season means permits will no longer be required to light open-air fires.
District Manager Peter Clark says the recent wet weather has caused this change.
"As the weather changes with the seasons, so does the risk of a wildfire spreading once ignited, " he says.
"Currently, the risk of uncontrolled fires has decreased and further predictions of wet and cooler weather has
contributed to the decision of allowing open-air fires again."
"Even though the risk has minimised, we still encourage anyone lighting an open-air fire to check the conditions before
they light. If it’s dry and windy, please don’t light a fire," says Peter Clark.
For more information and fire safety tips go to www.checkitsalright.nz.