Sparks from a car that lost one of its wheels as it travelled through the Kawarau Gorge near Cromwell are being blamed for starting a large grass fire in the area last night.
Five fire appliances from Cromwell, Alexandra and Tarras, and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket were called to an area near the Goldfields Mining Centre about 6pm.
Police were also called to assist with traffic control.
A New Zealand Fire Service communications spokesman said conditions were tinder-dry at the moment and at the height of the blaze, fire covered an area of 100m by 60m between the river and the road.
"We believe the fire was started by a vehicle that lost its wheel and started sparking.''
No charges would be laid because the fire was started by accident, he said.
Otago Rural Fire Authority acting principal rural fire officer Pete Scarlet said the blaze was contained by 8pm, at which time the Otago Rural Fire Authority took over the scene.
Mr Scarlet said it could take a couple of days before the fire would be properly extinguished.
He said the weather was in their favour last night, with little wind and medium humidity.
"We're hoping there may be a little bit of rain over night to help us.
"At this stage the fire is contained, but we'll have crews there through most of the night and we'll be back first thing in the morning to dampen things down.
"There are quite a few hot spots [fires burning in roots underground] that will take a bit of mopping up, just because of the fire conditions at the moment.
"We'll definitely be keeping an eye on it for the next couple of days.''
He said the fire danger in the Kawarau Gorge was "extreme'', and a total fire ban was in place.
"It's drier than normal. It's probably the driest I've seen it here for the last seven to 10 years.
"We want people to be extra careful at the moment with all their transportation and recreation gear in the Central Otago and Lakes areas.''
