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A flaming possum has been blamed for starting a large blaze close to the Remarkables Skifield near Queenstown yesterday.
A Department of Conservation spokesman said the possum probably caught alight as it ran across a power line.
It fell to the ground, starting a fire that engulfed a 1km-wide area of dry tussock-covered mountainside.
The fire was brought under control after a 12-hour battle.
