The Lake Hawea Fire Brigade investigated a controlled and permitted fire burn-off at Hawea Flat yesterday when a member of the public alerted emergency services.
Brigade chief Doug Brenssell said the 20ha burn-off at a forestry block off Camphill Rd was permitted and had "more than adequate" control services on standby.
The fire sent plumes of smoke billowing into the skies above Albert Town and was visible from State Highway 6 connecting Wanaka and Lake Hawea.
"It [the fire] was totally under control and the landowner had all the right permits," Mr Brenssell said.
The permit holder had a helicopter and monsoon bucket on standby, plus two tractors, and a digger in place for the burn-off, Mr Brenssell said.
"We went to investigate, as we always do, whenever an alarm is raised by the public," he said.
