Engine owners may pay for fire costs

The Queenstown Lakes District Council may seek $10,000 in costs from the owners of two traction engines after a series of fires alongside Lake Wakatipu believed to have been started by embers from the vintage machines.

The large scrub fire and two smaller fires were found burning beside State Highway 6, about 15 minutes' drive south of Frankton on Sunday night.

Volunteer firefighters from Kingston, Frankton and Queenstown were called to the blazes with Department of Conservation and Rural Fire staff, and assisted by three helicopters.

Yesterday, Queenstown Lakes District Council principal rural fire officer Gordon Bailey said embers from the two traction engines were considered the most likely cause of the fires although that was still being investigated.

Fighting the fires was likely to have cost up to $10,000, although that was a ‘‘ballpark figure'' as costs were still coming in.

The council's policy was to seek to recuperate costs from those responsible for the fires, Mr Bailey said.

The largest fire, just south of Wye Creek, covered an area about 600m long and 200m wide.

In stronger winds, it could have jumped SH6 and roared up the side of the Remarkables Range Mr Bailey said.

It was understood the two traction engines had since been placed on trucks and taken north.

- The fire flared up again yesterday, prompting another call-out of firefighters.

Mr Bailey said a northwesterly wind came up just after 4pm causing a small hot spot near Wye Creek to flare up.

Fire Service appliances from Frankton, Queenstown and Kingston stations, a helicopter and a QLDC Rural Fire Force appliance attended.

The fire was brought under control and hot spots were being dampened down by 6.45pm.

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