A large burn-off of tree stumps in Cromwell's industrial area yesterday during a prohibited fire season is being investigated by the local authority.
The fire on a bare land block at the corner of McNulty Rd and Gair Ave sparked a callout by the Cromwell Volunteer Fire Brigade.
The landowner was burning mostly tree stumps, Cromwell Chief Fire Officer Steve Shaw said. Two fire crews spent about 45 minutes at the site, dampening down the blaze.
Mr Shaw reminded property owners to be aware of the fire season.
Central Otago District Council planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort said under the bylaw for open air fires in the urban fire district, when the Otago Rural Fire Authority declared a prohibited fire season in the rural fire district, it was deemed to extend to the urban fire district.
Therefore, the fire breached the council bylaw, she said.
"We are investigating what action will be taken.''
The Otago Regional Council did not receive any complaints about smoke pollution from the fire, a spokesman said.
