People are reminded to take extra care to observe fire safety in the countryside and to keep it clean during the Mid-Autumn Festival, the Agriculture, Fisheries & Conservation Department says.

The department said the coming Mid-Autumn Festival posed a high fire risk due to the dry weather and tall grass.

Visitors should refrain from releasing any lanterns, and be extremely careful with barbecue fires as well as candle-lit lanterns.

It is an offence under the Forests & Countryside Ordinance to light fire illegally or to release a lantern in the country parks and open countryside.

Anyone who contravenes the ordinance is liable to a maximum fine of $25,000 and one year's imprisonment.

Visitors are also needed to keep the countryside clean. Anyone who commits a littering offence in the country park area is liable to a fixed penalty of $1,500.