The Rural Fire Service is on high alert as dry and windy conditions are forecast for much of the South Island this weekend.

Severe gale force nor' westers are forecast for Otago over the next two days, and the National Rural Fire Authority's warning people lighting fires to be vigilant.

Landowners need to check whether fire permit conditions are in place before undertaking burning operations.

It'll be a tense 48 hours for Fire Services who've spent the last fortnight battling several bush fires in rural parts of Otago.