An Otago Rural Fire Authority investigation report, released in 2016, concluded a very fast-moving and dangerous fire, which burnt about 20ha of Saddle Hill, including nine structures, in October 2015, most likely started when a branch or bark from a gum tree came into contact with a recloser unit (a pole-mounted switching device) on a power line beside Morris Rd.
The unit failed, melted and started a vegetation fire below, the report said.
Trees in the stand had not been trimmed by the landowner or lines company in the years before the fire.
This assessment considered factors including network configuration, routine inspections, tree species and condition, and prior fault history.
Following an unplanned outage caused by a fallen tree in September last year, a vegetation contractor was asked to assess the risk posed by the remaining trees.
"This is part of our usual vegetation management process."
While the trees were outside the regulated vegetation corridor, Aurora Energy worked with the landowner to agree on their removal.
The work was completed in January this year, he said.
The landowner did not respond to interview requests from Southern Rural Life.
