infonews.co.nz
INDEX
FIRE

Fire update

Thursday 20 March 2008, 9:13AM

By Queenstown Lakes District Council

1367 views

KINGSTON

A vegetation fire burning 25km south of Queenstown is now believed to have burned in excess of 1000 hectares.


“Our intention is to get on top of this fire this morning,” QLDC principal rural fire chief Gordon Bailey said.


Over 70 people were involved in this morning’s operation including 10 ground crews and seven helicopters.


“Unfortunately the fire continues to be fanned by high winds up into the tops, Mr Bailey said.


The terrain was difficult and mountainous, requiring a full reconnaissance to be undertaken by helicopter at first light.


The fire is burning towards the east from Lake Wakatipu into the Hector Mountains and towards the Nevis Valley.


“It’s now a multi-agency fire covering DOC estate and Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago Districts,” Mr Bailey said.


With the heavy helicopter traffic in the area and the anticipated Warbirds over Wanaka air traffic, a ‘no fly zone’ within a five kilometre radius of the fire, had been established.


The Kingston highway, having been closed yesterday for a period of two hours was now open.