A large scrub fire is burning at the Tekapo Military Training Area. Photo: George Empson / Photomack
A scrub fire at the Tekapo Military Training Area has been contained overnight.
The fire which grew to 200 hectares broke out just before 11.30am on Tuesday, after the Defence Force carried out a planned ammunition disposal.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said at its last patrol at 3am on Wednesday, there was no sign of fire.
Crews were due to carry out another patrol at first light.
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency is urging Cantabrians to avoid lighting fires over the next few days with forecast temperatures of up to 30 degrees, and gusty northwesterly winds.
Drone sighting forces Fire and Emergency helicopters back as Waikato fire continues
Fire and Emergency helicopters were forced to turn back as crews returned to fight a large vegetation fire that's spreading though a Waikato conservation area.
Fire burns through northern Waikato wetlands earlier this week. Photo: Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency incident controller Mark Tinworth said it was standard practice to halt all operations as drones are a serious threat.
"A mid-air collision between a drone and a helicopter could have fatal consequences," he said.
It's important the public do not fly drones anywhere near the fireground, he said.
"This impacted our ability to fight this fire as air operations have been our main avenue for suppression of the fire."
The blaze has burned more than 1000 hectares of land, including through an ecologically significant wetland.
More than 50 firefighters are into the third day battling the vegetation fire near Meremere, which includes the Whangamarino wetlands.
Tinworth said the fire now has a perimeter of 15 kilometres.
Peat fires are particularly challenging because they continue to burn underground, and it could be days before the blaze is under control, he said.
The cause of the fire is still unconfirmed, and residents are advised to keep their doors and windows closed.
Department of Conservation's Waikato director revealed the fire is affecting an area of environmental significance.
Tinaka Mearns said the wetlands are wide open spaces covered in low-lying vegetation and peat soil, which is highly flammable.
The burning wetland is home to a rare orchid and is used as a breeding ground by the threatened bird species, the matuku.
Mearns said they will assess damage once the fire is out, but the blaze is not currently impacting the orchids.
