Source: Radio New Zealand
A scrub fire in Palmerston. Supplied / Martin Neame
Authorities are warning residents in the Otago town of Palmerston near a pine tree blaze to keep their windows and doors shut due to smoke.
The fire started at 2:35pm on Thursday near Goodwood Rd and had been fought by ground crews and four helicopters.
It was now contained, but burnt through 25 hectares of pine.
Fire and Emergency said there was no risks to homes but smoke may blow towards the town on Thursday night.
“People in the vicinity of the fire should keep windows and doors shut and stay inside if possible.
“Remember to also keep the ventilation systems in your house and car turned off.”
Fire crews were expected to mop up the blaze on Friday morning.
It was one of nine fires across Otago and Southland on Thursday which had all been contained or extinguished by 9pm.
Near the Southland town of Mataura, State Highway 96 would remain closed over Thursday night between State Highway 1 and Waimumu due to a now contained fire which was 300 x 200m in size.
Nine fire trucks and two helicopters tackled the fire at a forestry block.
It would be extinguished on Friday morning.
Meanwhile, four crews were called to a paddock fire in Papakaio in the Waitaki district sparked by a trampoline blowing into powerlines.
Two crews were working on a smouldering tree near Whitstone.
The wind blew three branches onto two cars in Oamaru but Fire and Emergency (FENZ) said a dog in one of the cars was not hurt.
A paddock fire that broke out on Johnston Rd on the outskirts of Balclutha about 1pm had been contained.
FENZ said 30 firefighters on the ground and two helicopters with monsoon buckets were now working to put it out.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand