A major blaze that threatened the Walter Peak homestead near Queenstown is not yet under control, but firefighting operations have finished for the day.
The vegetation fire broke out near Walter Peak Station on the shores of Lake Wakatipu on Tuesday afternoon, sending smoke billowing over the resort.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) initially said it was tackling the blaze with two helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets, attempting to protect the historic homestead and gardens.
A helicopter works to extinguish a fire near Walter Peak High Country Farm. Photo: Supplied / Steven Matthews
In an update about 7.35pm, Fenz said a “significant area” of the blaze had been extinguished, but it was not yet contained or controlled.
Fenz earlier said crews had managed to protect the homestead and other buildings in its vicinity.
Assistant District Commander Nic McQuillan said the most recent aerial reconnaissance showed the size of the fireground had increased from about 146 hectares to about 390ha.
“The main area of active fire is around McKinlays Creek, east of the Walter Peak homestead,” McQuillan said.
The fie continuing to burn on Tuesday night. Photo: Jo Smith
“Conditions remain windy with norwesterly winds forecast to continue tomorrow with some light rain likely in the afternoon.”
McQuillan earlier said about 25 firefighters and incident management support personnel were involved, supported by six helicopters.
They were tackling three areas of active fire.
Fenz said the blaze was a result of a controlled burn from last Wednesday reigniting.
The fire burning on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: Fenz
Firefighters from Frankton and Glenorchy were airlifted on to the fireground, while crews from Mossburn travelled there by road.
There is no road access to the area from Queenstown.
McQuillan said ground and air operations would resume in the morning, with up to 15 firefighters supported by three helicopters with monsoon buckets, and a fourth helicopter used for directing the air attack.
The fire on Tuesday night. Photo: Tom Kelly
‘Quite scary’
Aucklander Steve Matthews was with his daughter on holiday when they witnessed the fire from a boat in Lake Wakatipu.
“On the hill, it looked very involved. Apparently, they had a controlled burn . . . and while we were there, it just got out of control.”
“I’m not sure how close it was, but from a distance it looks close, but I think there’s a bit of a safety zone, but still, if the wind changed, the homestead could have been all over rover,” Mr Matthews said.
“I think the company did really well getting everybody out off the water and back to Queenstown. We’re just hoping that everybody is safe.
“You can hear the sound of the pine trees crackling as you’re standing there. It’s quite unnerving and scary, really.”
Photo: Supplied
McQuillan said people could expect to see signs of fire and smell smoke overnight, so people in areas affected by the smoke — including Hanleys Farm and Jacks Point — should keep doors and windows shut to minimise their exposure.
Boat operators, including people in private watercraft, were advised to stay well away from the shore where helicopters were filling monsoon buckets.
Tourists on board a boat in Lake Wakatipu take photos of the blaze. Photo: Supplied / Steven Matthews