Firefighters are set to continue tackling a large vegetation fire in a remote part of Southland today.
Helicopters were needed yesterday to fight the blaze in the Otapiri Gorge, as rough terrain made ground access difficult.
Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire was about 21ha in size with a 2.3km perimeter.
It was about 50% contained, "but not under control", Fenz said in a statement about 6.30pm yesterday.
"High winds and the terrain made firefighting operations difficult."
Operations were being wound down before dusk and were to resume this morning to get the fire fully contained.
A Fenz spokesman said earlier the fire was in some gorse and crews were sent there about 12.35pm.
It had spread into a eucalyptus plantation.
Crews were initially not able to reach the blaze, because of rough terrain.
Three helicopters were called in to assist.
By 5pm, firefighters were extinguishing what they could from the ground. — Allied Media
