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Officials say a fire that has so far consumed nearly 30 hectares of a pine forest near Blenheim will continue to burn for quite some time.
However, Emergency Services Manager for Marlborough district Ross Hamilton said the blaze at Koromiko, near Picton, had died down since last night.
"When that storm went through it was very, very violent, but by about 1 o'clock this morning it had calmed right down."
The winds had settled overnight, Mr Hamilton told NZPA, as had the temperature, which was sitting about 35degC yesterday.
"It's still burning, it'll be quite some time before it's mopped up. It's probably about 60 per cent contained at the moment."
The fire broke out about 9pm yesterday, apparently as a result of lightning, and was being attended by the Marlborough Rural Fire District services.
Mr Hamilton said about 30 firefighters were working to get control of the fire, but the terrain was making it difficult.
"It's not easy country to get on - it's as steep a bloody hell. So it's all pumps and small hoses and stuff like that."
He said there were also several water tankers and four appliances attending the blaze.
Mr Hamilton said two nearby homes were evacuated last night as a precautionary measure, but the occupants had since been allowed to return.
- NZPA
