'It's just a big fireball' - grass-fire raging in Southland quickly consumes 1000 hectares

October 20, 2017

A burn off in Te Anau, Southland, has rapidly got out of control, consuming 1000 hectares of land as fire crews fight to contain it.

The fire has burned up the side of Mount Prospect, near Kakapo Rd.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand rural fire officer Sally Chesterfield says the person responsible for the burn-off called to alert firefighters about the out-of-control situation burning the hillside.

She says the fire spread quickly in hot, dry conditions with strong winds.

Ms Chesterfield says it’s still spreading so will be beyond 1000 hectares in size.

Several fire staff will remain at the scene overnight to assess the situation, though with the fire too dangerous for more fire crews to fight it from the ground and the danger associated with flying helicopters at night, options would be limited if there was a flare-up, she says.

Ms Chesterfield says an expected front should bring much-needed moisture to the scene.

Fire crews will head back to the site between 6.30am and 7am tomorrow to continue fighting the fire.

Local photographer Chris Watson says he saw the fire spread around 600m in the space of 10 to 15 minutes.

"I was blown away with how quickly it was moving. It was incredible to watch," Mr Watson said.

Te Anau local Kathryn Wright says the hillside has been completely blackened.

"It’s just a big fireball over our tree lane," she said.

Ms Wright lives about three kilometres away but isn’t worried about her safety as the fire is going in the opposite direction and the Whitestone River is between her property and the blaze.
 

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