A large vegetation fire 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 Otago said crews and helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets were responding to a blaze on the 1800m mountain.
"Smoke from the fire is clearly visible from Queenstown," Fire and Emergency NZ said.
In an update, Fire and Emergency NZ said two helicopters with monsoon buckets were "already at work to protect the Walter Peak homestead" while other aircraft were en route.
"Firefighters from Frankton and Glenorchy are being airlifted onto the fireground while crews from Mossburn are travelling by road."
Flames could be seen as fire crews respond to the blaze spreading up Mount Nicholas. (Source: Dave Noble) (Source: Supplied)
Assistant District Commander Nic McQuillan said initial efforts were focused on protecting the homestead.
"The fire was also spreading rapidly up the steep slopes of Mount Nicholas. Smoke from the fire is being blown across the lake towards Jacks Point and Hanleys Farm, and is likely to move towards Queenstown," he said.
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.
Residents in areas affected by the smoke were advised to keep their doors and windows closed to avoid exposure.
The fire had reignited from a planned burn in the area last Wednesday.
The Walter Peak High Country Farm is a working sheep station which also hosts tourists for tours and dinners, accessed by the coal-fired passenger steamship TSS Earnslaw.
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