A fire lit at Dublin Bay by vandals yesterday, and fuelled by smashed camping signs, had the potential to destroy property in the area, Department of Conservation Wanaka manager Paul Hellebrekers said.
Wanaka Fire Brigade crew extinguished the blaze quickly, after the alarm was raised by nearby residents alerted by smoke, yesterday morning.
Senior Firefighter Gary Templeton said the fire was burning fiercely when they arrived.
There was no sign of who had lit the fire in the middle of an access road leading to Dublin Bay.
Doc and council camping signs had been smashed and thrown into the fire.
The heat of the flames had melted the metal alloy signs.
Mr Hellebrekers said whoever lit the fire was foolish.
Strong northwest winds could have fanned the flames into a stand of trees and threatened nearby homes.
He doubted whether there was any evidence or witnesses who could shed light on how the fire had been lit.
"Potentially, it could have been very destructive," he said.
