Fire and Emergency New Zealand is asking people to be vigilant during their Lunar New Year celebrations.

“We want everybody to have a wonderful time celebrating Lunar New Year, but we’re asking people to avoid using fireworks or sky lanterns as part of their celebrations,” Community Education Manager Tom Ronaldson says.”

These areas are Lake Clearwater and Lake Camp in the Ashburton Lakes area, the Mackenzie Basin, Naseby, Upper Waitaki zones, Central Otago and Central Lakes zones which include Wakatipu Basin, Wānaka and Hāwea areas.

A fireworks ban means you can’t light and set off any fireworks, including sparklers.

Sky lanterns also pose a significant risk to buildings and vegetation.

“We strongly recommend you do not light lanterns, as you have no control over where they travel. If they land in dry vegetation, they can quickly cause a fire,” Tom Ronaldson says.

“This includes tethered lanterns, as there is a risk of them becoming untethered and causing a fire.

“Again, we strongly encourage you to celebrate without fireworks or sky lanterns.