Two hectares of paddock was burned near Alexandra yesterday after a mower hit a stone, causing sparks and igniting dry grass.
Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade Senior Station Officer Glen Gray said the ''very, very'' dry conditions contributed to the fire.
Two appliances from the Alexandra brigade, one Otago Rural Fire Authority appliance, and a tanker attended the fire.
''It was not too bad. It was fairly flat terrain and because he [the farmer mowing with a tractor mower] had already cut the paddock there was not too much to burn. He was just tidying up the paddock.
Mr Gray said farmers should avoid mowing in the middle of the day.
''Do it in the morning, when there is dew around.''
There is a total fire ban in place at present in Central Otago.
