1pm update: Skippers Road wildfire contained
Photos: Fire and Emergency Otago
1pm update: Fire crews have contained the Skippers Road blaze this morning after it burned across about 12 hectares.
Firefighters and helicopters are still working on hotspots, to reduce the risk that the fire will reignite as the day gets hotter and windier.
"A few spots of rain have fallen on the fireground in the last hour but not enough to help," a FENZ update reads.
"Big thanks to all the mountain bikers who have chosen to hit other trails today. We still need you to stay away from Skippers Pack Trail, the Coronet Loop below Greengate Saddle, the Pack Track and Sack Trail and Atleys Terrace Track.
"The Skippers Road remains closed."
9am update: Firefighters have returned to Queenstown's Skippers Road this morning to continue the fight against a large vegetation fire.
Crews from Arrowtown Volunteer Fire Station and Queenstown Volunteer Fire Brigade were called yesterday evening to battle the blaze, which had taken hold in across six hectares retired high country farmland that includes a large area of dead wilding pine trees, near Coronet Peak.
Six helicopters ferried monsoon buckets of water to the fire, last night. The crews were stood down at sunset, about 9pm, with the fire still burning.
"Four ground crews and three helicopters are back at work at the Long Gully fire on the Skippers road this morning," a FENZ spokesperson said.
"We’re asking mountain bikers to stay off several trails which would lead them close to the fireground. The Skippers Road is also closed."
The road remains closed from the Coronet Peak turnoff.
The mountain bike trails close to the fire include the Skippers Pack Track, which is affected by the fire, the Coronet Loop below Greengate Saddle, the Pack Track and Sack Trail and Atleys Terrace Track.
Queenstown Bike Festival is due to start today and run for 10 days.
"Please stay well away from the area so our fire crews don't have to dodge other vehicles when they're accessing the fireground."
The blaze pictured from a heli last night
Fire crews assemble this morning
