A total fire ban is now in place along the coastal strip of Mount Maunganui and Papamoa until further notice.

It applies to all land on the seaward side of Marine Parade, Ocean Beach Road, Maranui Street, and Papamoa Beach Road, and signage will be erected at popular beach entrances along the coast.

Tauranga City Council Parks and Environment manager Warren Aitken says the New Zealand Fire Service recommended the ban due to the continuing dry weather and the fact the Mount/Papamoa area has considerable vegetation, including grass and scrub along the dunes, which could act as fuel.

'It was necessary to take this step due to the continued fine weather forecast for the long weekend and the next two weeks.

'Regardless of where you reside in Tauranga, please take extreme care with fire.”

The ban does not prohibit locals from using barbeques or traditional cooking fires – provided the fire does not pose a danger, a water supply is present to extinguish the fire, and it is supervised at all times.

Should the dry conditions continue, a fire ban may also be imposed on all of Tauranga City's urban areas, adds Warren.

For more information read section three of Tauranga City Council's Outdoor Fire Safety Bylaw 2015.

A map of the total fire ban area. Image: TCC