Firefighters battle scrub fires at Mt Cook Station

Firefighters in South Canterbury are dampening down hot spots after the scrub fire at Mt Cook Station.

The fire had been contained by early evening yesterday but had burned though more than 200 hectares of pine and tussock land. Stock were removed from the area as a precaution.

South Canterbury';s Principal Rural Fire Officer, Rob Hands, says the fire is still smoldering in places but the situation is under control. Firefighters will be checking to make sure remaining sparks do not get through containment lines and check for hotspots.

Mr Hands says at the height of the emergency 70 crew members and 11 helicopters fought the flames.

- NEWSTALK ZB