The fire, which began just after 3pm on Wednesday, burnt 199ha of grass and heather on Hillend high country station. Principal rural fire officer Graeme Still described the fire as "very deep-seated" and predicted it would be several days before it was completely out. On Wednesday afternoon, and all through the daylight hours of Thursday, eight helicopters carried water from Lake Wanaka in monsoon buckets to the fire on Mt Alpha. Alpine Helicopter director and general manager Nick Wallis said the conditions were "challenging" but it was perfectly safe. "The public need to be aware that helicopter pilots cannot see drones in the air.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 07, 2018 16:07 UTC