Eleven Fire Trucks Fighting Large Wanaka Hill Fire

Eleven Fire Trucks and four helicopters with monsoon buckets are fighting the large fire near Rippon Vineyard, Wanaka

A nearby camping ground has been told to be ready to evacuate.

Fire Service spokesperson John Ditmer said “crews were called to Wanaka-Mount Aspiring Road just before 3pm”.

He said the blaze was covering 5-10 acres of hill and was moving up the mountain.

Between 30 and 40 firefighters were battling the blaze.

Department of Conservation community senior ranger Annette Grieve said at this stage the fire was away from the public and housing.

“There’s heavy smoke, the fire itself hasn’t entered the public conservation land, it’s behind a campground closer to town, it’s certainly away from the public walking track,” she said.