Strong winds push blaze out of control in Central Otago

A helicopter fights the flames of a burn-off near Macraes this morning. Photo: Stephen Jaquiery

Strong winds are fanning the flames of an out-of-control fire near Macraes, inland from Palmerston, Otago, this morning.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said they were called to the fire in the Red Bank Rd area about 6.30am.

The fire started as a controlled burn, but quickly went beyond the intended boundary, he said.

In an update Fenz said the blaze was out of control.

Waitaki deputy principal rural fire officer Mike Harrison said the fire was being fanned by strong northerly winds and had burnt more than 800ha of tussock land.

Seven helicopters and five ground crews were tackling the fire, and the strong winds and warm temperatures were making conditions difficult.

Over the day crews would work to contain the fire and prevent it spreading further, he said.

"It is going to be quite difficult in these strong winds."

Firefighters were hopeful a southerly change and some forecast rain later on would provide relief.

A command centre had been set up on Golden Bar Rd.

Yesterday fire managers were asking people to be responsible and refrain from lighting fires until conditions eased.

Fenz asked people to check the forecast before burning and to ensure no strong winds were predicted for the 48 hours after burning, Otago deputy principal rural fire officer Jason Sarich said.

Wind conditions in the Middlemarch area were strong in exposed places, according to MetService. At about 8am today the predicted average wind speed was expected to reach 92kmh.

Rain, possibly heavy, was predicted for the area about 3pm.