Otago vegetation fire: Crews 'aiming to hit it hard today'

Crews tackling a major vegetation fire in Otago are "aiming to hit it hard today" before conditions take a turn for the worse.

The fire near Tokarahi, Waitaki has burnt through more than 800 hectares of farmland, tussock and scrub.

It broke out at about midday on Friday. Firefighters said yesterday afternoon that it had been contained.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) incident commander Bobby Lamont said this morning: "We're aiming to hit it hard today before the warmer temperatures and windier conditions forecast for tomorrow arrive.

"Our crews of volunteers and forestry contractors, supported by two helicopters with monsoon buckets, will walk the perimeter of the fire today with hand tools to check for hotspots."

The fire "did not develop overnight" and remains contained and controlled, Lamont said.