Four helicopters used monsoon buckets to fight the blaze. Photo: Andy Cole
Up to 10 hectares of pine forest were ablaze and smoke streamed up a hillside near Wanaka late yesterday afternoon.
A fire service spokesman Mau Barbara said the fire had been contained but crews remained at the scene to assess the damage and contain the residual fire.
"Roading contractors are returning for further road patrol due to the risk of rockfall.
"And it has been deemed suspicious due to fireworks."
The fire service was not able to say whether residents had been able to return to their homes.
