Deputy principal rural fire officer Mark Mawhinney told the Otago Daily Times at the scene it was not uncommon for lawn mowers to start fires at this time of year, particularly given the dry conditions in the area at present.
''It's just so dry - it's begging for rain at the moment. We've got to start thinking 'what if' and planning for a fire, almost.''
He recommended people take precautions and, in the case of mowing, do it either early in the morning or later in the evening when it was cooler.
Residents Geoff and Carolyn Shirley were at work when they got a call from a neighbour alerting them to the fire and raced home.
Mrs Shirley said they were indebted to builders and electricians working on a neighbouring property who ''saved our house''.
''They went and got our hoses and sprayed around our house. We are very grateful to them [and] emergency services.
''We're just incredibly lucky.''
The fire had come within metres of three sides of the property they had lived in for just over two years, she said.
Mr Mawhinney said the fire was brought under control within about 90 minutes but would be monitored over the next couple of days.
It is the second vegetation fire near Lake Hayes in 10 days. On January 7, a gas stove on the ground being used by a camper ignited the grass underneath, starting a fire that burned 4000sq m of scrub and grass at the northern end of the lake.
Yesterday the ODT reported a total fire ban was now in place across Otago and Southland due to the dry conditions and depleted soil moisture.
A total fire ban meant people were not allowed to light outdoor fires of any kind or use charcoal barbecues, braziers or incinerators.
Gas barbecues were allowed, but should be kept in a safe location, off the ground and well away from long grass or anything that could catch fire.
Some rain is likely today and tomorrow.
