Bruce Jolly said hives on his property, the 3600ha Ardgour Station, were being tended by a beekeeper on Wednesday when the accidental fire started.
Otago Rural Fire Authority deputy principal rural fire officer Jamie Cowan, who used GPS to map the fire area, said it was the largest grass fire the authority had attended in Central Otago this season.
About 16 firefighters remained at the scene yesterday to manage hot spots, but the fire was ''pretty well sorted''.
Mr Jolly said while the fire was big, if it had got over a ridge at the top of his property it would have been worse.
The terrain was rougher and there was more scrub in that area.
No stock had been in the area, which was in the centre of the farm. and no winter feed was lost.
''As far as my farming operation, it's going to have very little impact on the day-to-day running of the farm.
''It had been dry for so long there was very little grass there [to burn].
''In the long term it's damage to the fences that will be the big expense.''
Mr Jolly said he had a ''certain amount'' of insurance cover for his fences and hoped the beekeeper had public liability cover.
He praised a fast response by fire crews and helicopters with monsoon buckets, and a ''great'' community effort.
''They [fire crews] were great and all the neighbours were helping out with beating fires, fuelling helicopters, filling tankers and providing food for the firefighters.''
Mr Cowan said crews had remained on site on Wednesday night, after three helicopters with monsoon buckets were stood down before nightfall.
''It's just another example of a long, hot fire fire season and our volunteer crews are working very hard.''
Mr Cowan also praised Mr Jolly, neighbours who assisted and the person who reported the fire.
Attempts to contact the beekeeper yesterday were unsuccessful.
