The fire above Matakauri Lodge. Photo / Scott Freeman
A bush fire which forced the evacuation of several homes near Queenstown is now under control.
Two rural settlements were evacuated due to the fire, on the road to Glenorchy about 5km from Queenstown, which began about 6am and covered over 500 square metres.
The Department of Conservation said seven
fire crews were on site working hard to put out the hot spots, which included burning logs.
Firefighters were working in "incredibly hard, trying" weather conditions with a ground temperature of about 5deg Celsius, DOC incident controller Greg Lind told NZPA.
"We've got steady rain, snow lowering to lake level...so in terms of the weather it's helping to put the fire out.
"Helicopters are unable to penetrate the canopy over the top so it's pick and shovel and pumps to try and dampen these hot spots," he said.
Queenstown Lakes District Council spokesperson Meaghan Miller said the council assisted the Department of Conservation with the fire.
At its peak seven helicopters were fighting the fire.
People from Wilsons Bay and Alpine Retreat had been evacuated due to the fire.
Ms Miller said the fire came within four metres of one home, but fortunately was kept at bay.
Firefighters are still putting out lingering hot spots and will continue to monitor the situation.
The Department of Conservation believed the fire to have caused by powerlines arcing in the wind.
