Remarkables blaze under control, DoC says

Five helicopters have been working to dampen the blaze.

A scrub fire that lit up skies around Queenstown is under control for the moment, the Department of Conservation has said.

The fire destroyed around 500 hectares of scrub land on the Remarkables near Kingston Road yesterday afternoon and consumed another 250 hectares overnight.

Wakitipu DOC spokesman Nick Edwards said the weather and terrain meant that the fire had to be left last night.

Five helicopters with monsoon buckets have been working with several ground crews to dampen hotspots today.

Mr Edwards said the crews were dealing with extremely difficult terrain and although the fire was under control, DOC was monitoring the wind.

The Metservice has said northwest winds may reach severe gale force in parts of Southland, Canterbury and Otago from Friday through to Saturday night.

The National Rural Fire Authority urged farmers to be cautious.

In a statement, the authority said: "This is a timely reminder to the public that conditions are dry and that any fires that are lit or start in these strong wind conditions have the potential to get out of control."

It asked landowners in Southland, Canterbury and Otago hill country to take extreme care if conducting burning operations and to call their local Rural Fire Authority to check conditions.

- NEWSTALK ZB / NZHERALD STAFF