A large fire that forced evacuations in Wānaka has been brought under control, but strong winds and steep terrain are making it difficult for firefighters to reach the remaining flames.

About 22 homes were evacuated in Wānaka's Albert Town on Saturday night, as the huge flames burned close to residential streets.

Fire and Emergency NZ said they were alerted to the vegetation fire in an area made up of gullies and steep hills, just before 7:30pm on Saturday, and had been attacking it from "multiple points".

In a briefing after 10pm on Saturday, Fire and Emergency District Assistant Commander Nic McQuillan said the fire was in about one kilometre of trees and scrub "alongside houses".

While it was now controlled, "firefighters are still dealing with hotspots, flare-ups and ember transfers," and firefighters would be at the scene working on it all night into Sunday, he said.

"No houses have caught fire, although initially it was thought seven to eight properties were threatened and Police evacuated 22 homes."

 

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A police spokeswoman told the Otago Daily Times they had assisted with evacuations and traffic control.

Fire and Emergency NZ said they were alerted to a vegetation fire in Albert Town at 7.28pm on Saturday, and were attacking it from "multiple points".

"Eight pumping appliances are now at the incident, as well as additional support vehicles. The latest information shows that no houses are threatened".

A social media user said the fire had ripped through the reserve from Lagoon Ave to Hunt Pl and all houses in McLellan Place had been evacuated