The risk of fire in the Gisborne area is so great there could be a total ban put in place.

The Gisborne District Council currently has strict fire restrictions, but as conditions remain dry the risk of fires getting out of hand is increasing.

Principal fire officer Rene Londeman says fires in the region last week proved how rapidly blazes can move and that houses can easily be put in danger. He says if the rain holds off and warm winds continue, they will be forced into a total fire ban sooner rather than later.

Mr Londeman says forestry workers could be put on standby to help fight fires.