Fire continues to burn at Walter Peak

Firefighting operations are continuing at Walter Peak, where a large vegetation fire is burning on steep slopes above the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

Fire and Emergency Assistant District Commander Nic McQuillan says about 25 firefighters and incident management support personnel are involved, supported by six helicopters. There are three areas of active fire. The fire is not contained, but efforts to protect the Walter Peak homestead and other buildings in its vicinity have been successful.

Firefighters from Queenstown, Frankton, Glenorchy and Mossburn are working on the western flank to consolidate the perimeter. They and the air attack will continue working until sunset, when operations will be suspended overnight.

Firefighters and aircraft will recommence work tomorrow morning. People should expect to see signs of fire overnight and into tomorrow.

Boat operators including people in private watercraft should stay well away from the Walter Peak Station shore where helicopters are filling monsoon buckets.

As the fire is still travelling quickly downwind it is feeding on patches of vegetation, which is causing smoke to intensify as it moves through those areas. Smoke will continue to drift across the lake towards Jacks Point and Hanleys Farm, so people in areas affected by the smoke should keep doors and windows shut to minimise their exposure.

At 3pm the fire was mapped at 146 hectares with a perimeter of almost 6km. Nic McQuillan says it has increased since then.