A second scrub fire sparked up in Tekapo yesterday afternoon as the Pukaki Downs fire settled.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) was alerted to a bush fire in Tekapo at 12.50pm yesterday. Seven fire engines from Lake Tekapo, Ashburton and Fairlie responded to the fire.
Members of the public staying at Mt Cook who wished to leave the area were escorted past the fire by Fenz staff.
Incident controller Stephen Butler said that was not a health and safety precaution; the offer was extended to those who wanted to "continue their trips or make connecting flights".
Fire services were stood down from the Pukaki Downs fire at 7.30pm yesterday but members were left to monitor overnight.
As of yesterday, 165ha had burned and the fire had a perimeter of 17km.
Fenz was hopeful expected rain and snow would help to further control the wildfires.
