Fire grows to more than 146ha at Queenstown's Walter Peak

A vegetation fire spanning more than 146ha at Queenstown's Walter Peak Station is "spreading rapidly" up Mount Nicholas as the blaze sent smoke billowing across the area this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency NZ Assistant District Commander Nic McQuillan said about 25 firefighters and incident management support personnel were at the scene on the 1800m mountain, supported by six helicopters.

Initial efforts were focused on protecting the homestead as it began "spreading rapidly up the steep slopes of Mount Nicholas", he said.

"Smoke from the fire is being blown across the lake towards Jacks Point and Hanleys Farm, and is likely to move towards Queenstown."

At 3pm, the fire was mapped at 146ha with a perimeter of almost 6km. Nic McQuillan says it has increased since then.

In an update this evening, McQuillan said there were "three areas of active fire", which was not contained.

"Efforts to protect the Walter Peak homestead and other buildings in its vicinity have been successful," he said.

"As the fire is still travelling quickly downwind it is feeding on patches of vegetation, which is causing smoke to intensify as it moves through those areas. Smoke will continue to drift across the lake towards Jacks Point and Hanleys Farm, so people in areas affected by the smoke should keep doors and windows shut to minimise their exposure."

He said firefighters from Queenstown, Frankton, Glenorchy and Mossburn were "working on the western flank to consolidate the perimeter".

"They and the air attack will continue working until sunset, when operations will be suspended overnight."

Firefighters and aircraft will resume tackling the fire tomorrow morning.

"People should expect to see signs of fire overnight and into tomorrow."

"Smoke from the fire is clearly visible from Queenstown," Fire and Emergency NZ said earlier today.

Photographs and footage sent to 1News by a witness from Bob's Cove, on the other side of the lake, showed thick smoke billowing out from the mountain over Lake Wakatipu.

The coal-fired passenger steamship TSS Earnslaw – which offers scenic cruises and excursions to Walter Peak High Country Farm, a working sheep station – appeared to have been diverted, the witness said.

Residents in areas affected by the smoke were advised to keep their doors and windows closed to avoid exposure.

Boat operators and people in private watercraft were advised to "stay well away" from the Walter Peak Station shore where helicopters are filling monsoon buckets, he said.

The fire had reignited from a planned burn in the area last Wednesday.