Fierce winds are fuelling a wildfire near Lake Pūkaki, forcing six homes to be evacuated and State Highway 80 at the lake was closed Thursday night.
The scrub fire is near the Pūkaki Downs, and is visible from Twizel.
Six properties have been evacuated and some residents have chosen to leave the area north of Twizel.
Six helicopters are now in the air.
Pūkaki Ward councillor Scott Aronsen spoke to Corin Dann.