Fire keeps burning even after snowfall

Despite heavy snow yesterday, the fire near Lake Pukaki is still active.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman said the fire had burned through more than 3100ha since it started on Sunday morning.

Fire crews were now focusing on hot spots after surveying the site by helicopter using thermal imaging.

Fenz teams were being supported by aerial and heavy machinery where necessary, the spokesman said.

Power was restored to all affected properties yesterday.

State Highway 80 from Lake Pukaki to Mt Cook had reopened, but speed restrictions were in place, he said.

Public meetings were held at the Twizel Events Centre and the Aoraki Mt Cook Community Hall yesterday to inform residents of the next steps.

Incident controller Rob Hands and Mackenzie Mayor Graham Smith told 45 residents attending the Twizel meeting and about 20 attending the Mt Cook meeting that fire crews would be working to dampen down hot spots in the days ahead.

Anything that could fuel fire around residential properties in the southeastern corner had been cleared out, they told the meetings.

They said there would be burning in the coming weeks, but it would be "contained burning".

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