Environmentalists believe the prevalence of Wilding Conifer trees - better known as Wilding Pines - in the McKenzie District should cop much of the blame for the large scrubfire still burning there.
They say the spread of the invasive species has created tinder box conditions around parts of New Zealand.
The government has injected $100 million to tackle the escalation of Wilding Pines for another reason, because of the threat they pose to native trees and wildlife.
Robin Piper from the Central Otago Wilding Conifer Control Group speaks to Corin Dann.
