Fire-lighter could cause catastrophe - police

A fire-lighter starting blazes in the tinder-dry pine plantation near Alexandra could cause a catastrophe, police and firefighters say.

Four deliberately lit blazes have scorched a crop of mature pines on Central Otago District Council land, between Dunstan Rd and State Highway 8 in the last week, the Otago Daily Times reported.

Local authorities have declared a total fire ban in the area.

Alexandra Police Sergeant Ian Kerrisk said police were working with fire service staff to find the arsonist.

"If this doesn't stop, something major will happen," he said.

"It's only luck that's stopped any of these fires taking off and potentially, that would be catastrophic."

Alexandra Chief Fire Officer Russell Anderson said the firebug was putting lives at risk.

"There's always a danger that if we're tied up attending calls like this - caused through someone's stupidity - it might delay us going to something like a motor vehicle accident, even though we prioritise calls," he said.

- NZPA