The final cost of extinguishing the 1524ha vegetation fire near Hyde should be known next week, Dunedin City Council principal rural fire officer Graeme Still says.
Firefighters, farmers and others began work to control the blaze on July 20 and until yesterday were monitoring the site daily for flare-ups.
Mr Still had received invoices from those involved, and was dealing with landowners' insurance agents to determine the final expense.
"The DCC will pay the bills, then recover costs from landowners," he said.
The fire started as a controlled burn but quickly spread. It raged for about 24 hours and threatened a home before being brought under control on the afternoon of July 21, after which firefighters remained at the scene to dampen hot spots.
Mr Still said all the land burnt in the fire was freehold.
About 50ha of a private forestry block and 25ha of Blakely Pacific's forest plantation was destroyed.
At its peak, the blaze was battled by about 40 rural firefighters, Blakely Pacific staff, and six helicopters with monsoon buckets.
Mr Still said it was one of the largest fires in the area for almost 10 years, but not the most expensive to extinguish.
Forecast rain would put an end to the fire control effort, Mr Still said.
"As of today, if the rain comes through we are pulling the pin," he said yesterday.
