Otago firefighters have battled 17 blazes in the last 15 days. Photo: Supplied / Fire and Emergency NZ
Strong winds and a dry winter have resulted in 17 fires in 15 days in the Otago region, Fire and Emergency says.
Firefighters had been battling a scrub fire in Waitaki since Friday.
Fire and Emergency Incident Commander Bobby Lamont told Morning Report there might be a few hot spots but it was largely under control.
"We're pretty confident with the work that we've done over the last 48 hours, we're pretty comfortable to have everything contained."
The site was returned to the landowner on Monday morning.
Lamont said the landowner would monitor and suppress any potential hot spots.
"The owner has a management plan in place and if anything escalates, we will be immediately back to assist," he said.
Lamont said there had been 17 fires in the region in the last 15 days.
That was down to a number of factors including strong winds, little rain, and the high flammability of grasses and scrub that were "frost cured" - dried out over a dry winter.
Those things were normal at this time of year, but the winds were starting earlier than normal, he said.
"In springtime we do tend to see these things anyway and it catches people out."
People planning controlled burns should check the long range forecast, especially the wind, and the checkitsalright.nz website had more information, Lamont said.
Lamont thanked crews for their hard work and the wider community for their support.
"This was a remote area, and they did a great job."
