A reminder Canterbury is in a restricted fire season, as the region has a dry and windy start to the weekend

MetService has issued a strong wind watch for the Canterbury High Country until 5pm - with northwesterly winds potentially reaching severe gale, in exposed places.

Meteorologist Surprise Mhlongo says it would be very hard to control or contain fires in these conditions.

He says the winds will be persistent for most of the day before starting to ease back later this afternoon.