Danseys Pass fire thought started by army blast

The New Zealand Defence Force and rural fire authorities will be meeting soon to determine exactly what happened after a simulated explosion during a battle exercise by the army is believed to have started a large fire in remote Central Otago hill country on Friday.

Department of Conservation Central Otago manager Mike Tubbs said the square kilometre burnt was covered by snow this morning and he was hopeful the snow had extinguished the blaze.

The fire on Shortlands Station, about 5km north of Danseys Pass Hotel, was close to the boundary with the Oteake Conservation Park.

Ground and aerial fire crews had to withdraw from the scene last night because high winds, snow and hail made it too dangerous for them to continue to fight the fire,

"It looks like the snow's done the job for us, but we'll be keeping an eye on it, in case it flares up again, " Mr Tubbs said.

New Zealand Defence Force army media spokesman Major John Gordon confirmed the army was carrying out a large-scale exercise involving lots of activities, which included a group of soldiers in the Danseys Pass area who had been involved in a simulated battlefield exercise on Doc land.

"We had all the consents and permits needed before hand," Major Gordon said.

During the battle simulation, small incendiary devices were detonated to simulate explosions and soldiers were trained to respond.

"It seems the detonation caused a spark, and in the conditions, it initiated a small fire, which rapidly spread, and became a matter for the rural fire authorities, " he said.

"They were contacted straight away, given the nature of the conditions and the risk of the fire, and it appeared to have spread quickly."

Nobody was injured, he said.

Major Gordon said the exercise involved 300-400 soldiers over a wide area through to Tekapo. It would finish in about 10 days and would continue as planned, but extra measures would be taken to mitigate against any fires.

The contract with landowners entered into before the exercise began would cover details about the army's liability, he said.

The group in the Danseys Pass region was not using live ammunition during its exercises.

Mr Tubbs said it appeared the army was taking responsibility for having started the fire. It was too soon to speculate on the cost of fire-fighting.

"If there were costs involved, usually they'd rest with the individual or group responsible for starting the fire, " he said.

It appeared, at this stage, the only damage was to vegetation.