A series of grass fires along a 400m stretch of State Highway 85 near Alexandra yesterday morning kept fire crews busy, but the cause of the fires remains a mystery.
The Alexandra Volunteer Fire Brigade was called at 9.30am to fires in eight places on both sides of the road, Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Derek Shaw, who is also a station officer with the fire brigade, said.
''There were three main fires, which took hold in longer grass, and up to five other smaller fires, but all in the same vicinity on both sides of the road.
''Given there's been recent rain, it's less likely the five smaller fires were wind-blown, so there's a possibility they were deliberately lit.''
''However, some machinery could have gone along there, a traction engine or a vehicle towing machinery, and sparks from that might have started the fires. We're not sure.''
A crew of 12 firefighters put out the fire within half an hour, aided by a rural fire support tanker.
There is a total fire ban in force in Central Otago but people should not be complacent despite the heavy rain last week, he said.
Police would like hear from anyone with information on the cause of the fires, he said.
