A helicopter has been sent to Lewis Pass to monitor a fire that broke out yesterday.
State Highway 7 was closed due to the blaze on Tuesday afternoon. Photo: NZTA
The fire, which closed State Highway 7 from Hanmer to Springs Junction, stretched 150m along the road and across 80m of bush.
Both lanes of the Lewis Pass Road are now open after firefighters put out the last hot spots this afternoon. Stop-go signs are still being used.
Southern Fire shift manager Kevin Barbara said earlier this morning two fire crews were still dealing with hotspots across about 7ha.
"The weather approximately at this stage is 18 but we are expecting it to go to around about 28 degrees this afternoon with strong westerlies.
"Hope to have everything done and dusted by lunchtime when the winds pick up and the weather increases."
The fire started at Engineers Camp shortly after 3pm yesterday afternoon.
Flames reached heights of about 10m but was contained before businesses and properties were put at risk.
