Firefighters get large scrub fire near Dunedin under control

Firefighters dampen down hot spots after bringing the fire under control. Photo / Peter McIntosh

Firefighters managed to bring a large scrub fire under control near Purakaunui, Otago, on Saturday.

Initially, there were concerns the fire would spread to a nearby pine plantation, but a crew from the Port Chalmers Volunteer Fire Brigade, with the help of two helicopters, was able to keep the 500m by 500m blaze away.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand southern shift manager Daryl Ball said they were alerted to the fire on a farm about 3.20pm on Saturday after a burn-off got out of control.