KEY POINTS:
More than 1000ha has been destroyed in a major fire at the Devils Staircase, on State Highway 6, between Queenstown and Kingston.
Queenstown Lakes District Council Principal Rural Fire Service Officer Gordon Bailey said nine helicopters and 10 ground crew were battling the blaze.
The fire had been going on and off for a couple of days, and strong winds and hot conditions were making it tough to battle.
Mr Bailey said he was confident they would get on top of it.
A 5km no fly zone had been implemented around the fire.
Mr Bailey said the blaze would not affect the Warbirds over Wanaka Airshow, from tomorrow until Sunday.
The blaze was one of many sparked by hot and dry conditions throughout the South Island during the past few days.
Southern Fire Communications shift manager Jan Wills said a suspicious fire in the Port Hills above Christchurch, which razed 20ha, was under control, and firefighters were dampening down hot spots.
Police said they were working with the Fire Service to establish the cause of the blaze, which started early yesterday morning.
They were interested in any sightings of a silver or grey Nissan Primera on the Summit Rd on Tuesday night. A Nissan Primera was found just off the road and police said it would seem the vehicle was at the heart of where the fire started.
Another fire broke out early this morning at a building in Woodbourne air force base, near Blenheim.
Ms Wills said five appliances attended, and the fire was out.
No one was injured, and fire safety were investigating the cause of the blaze, she said.
A scrub fire in Methven, mid Canterbury, a fire in a building in Motueka, near Nelson, a minor hedge fire in Clutha Valley, South Otago, and another scrub fire in Orepuki, 70km north-west of Invercargill, were under control, she said.
- NZPA
