A spokesperson for Fire and Emergency New Zealand has said this morning the Nelson fire was most likely caused by agricultural machinery.
The fire, which started on Tuesday, has fire crews still battling to get it under control.
Read more: Live updates: Tasman wildfire remains 'out of control', authorities say, as likely cause revealed
Fire and Emergency New Zealand's incident controller, John Sutton, told a media briefing today that the most likely cause of the out-of-control blaze was a tractor towing discs in a rocky field.
Emergency services are hopeful conditions will be in their favour as they battle Nelson fire (Source: Other)
"We've got a fire investigator working on that fire and at this stage it's almost certain it's as a result from a spark from agricultural machinery," he said.
He said the owner of the tractor was aware it was likely theirs and is "mortified."
Read more: Minister of Agriculture says the Nelson fire in better position, but yet to be contained
"It's an accidental event, it's certainly nothing anyone would hope to happen," said Mr Sutton.
A state of emergency is in place for the Nelson-Tasman region due to the Pigeon Valley blaze. (Source: Other)
Mr Sutton said that farmers in Nelson's dry conditions have been advised to suspend roadside mowing or any such operations likely to create sparks.
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