A helicopter with a monsoon bucket was called to battle a scrub fire in Allanton this afternoon.
Firefighters from Mosgiel were called to the scene at 3.15pm today to reports of a scrub fire threatening a block of pine trees, near the intersection of State Highway 1 and Riverside Rd.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand shift manager Andrew Norris said the fire was about 20m x 20m and crews had to walk up a steep bank to battle the blaze.
''There was no way of getting a truck anywhere near it.''
A Helicopters Otago helicopter armed with a monsoon bucket had been deployed, getting to work on the fire for a period before being stood down about 4.50pm, he said.
Shortly after 5pm Mr Norris said the fire had been contained, and the crew from Mosgiel gone home, following the arrival of another from Waihola.
"Waihola are still there mopping up.''
