Fire near ski field under control

A 1km long fire burning in a recreation reserve at the Remarkables ski field, near Queenstown has been brought under control.

The Department of Conversation was alerted to the fire at the Rastus Burn reserve, 2km from the ski field, shortly after midnight.

DOC said the fire was believed to have been caused by a power line.

At least two helicopters and two crews of four people were being despatched to battle the fire at first light. But by late morning firefighters said they were in the "mopping up" stages.

The fire is below the road. DOC earlier said it hoped the road would act as a fire break and block the flames from spreading further up the hill.

The front of the fire was estimated to be between 700m and 1km long.

The ski field was not thought to be in danger and weather conditions slowed the fire.

- NZPA