Closeburn 'fire' believed to be dust rising

Emergency services rushed to Closeburn yesterday afternoon after a member of the public believed she had spotted smoke in the area.

Closeburn, on the Glenorchy road, is part of Queenstown's red zone - a high-risk area of urban and rural land between Bobs Cove and Arthurs Point subject to a year-round fire ban.

Four helicopters were put on standby, with urban and rural crews from the Wakatipu called in to help when the call came through about 2.30pm, as temperatures hovered around 33degC in the Wakatipu, accompanied by gusty northwesterly winds.

However, Sergeant Kate Pirovano, of Queenstown, told the Otago Daily Times it appeared to be a false alarm, and the ''smoke'' was probably dust from Closeburn Station.

The hillside was checked by a helicopter, and fire crews and police checked the area around Wilson's Bay and Cove Lane, at Bob's Cove.

Sgt Pirovano urged people to remain vigilant given the ''volatile'' conditions across the district and if anyone saw or smelled smoke to call 111 immediately.

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