A controlled burn which got out of control is believed to be the cause of a fire near West Meadows Drive this afternoon (Saturday August 29).

Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) told the Wanaka App that fire services began to receive calls from 3.05pm.

“We don’t know how it started, but it is believed to be a controlled burn that got out of control,” a FENZ spokesperson said.

Two fire crews from Wanaka and a tanker from Luggate attended the blaze, which produced billows of brown smoke above the Stone Street/West Meadows area.

Flames came close to some properties.

Strong, gusty Northwesterly winds were blowing all day.

People walked, drove and biked towards the smoke to view the extent of the fire, which came close to some properties.

Bystanders watch the fire from above, off Stone Street.

A Fish & Game employee told the Wanaka App Fish & Game did not have a burnoff today. There was a working party at Bullock Creek during the afternoon, where the Friends of Bullock Creek group supervise Department of Corrections workers. The chair of Friends of Bullock Creek could not be contacted.  

The fire was out by 4.15, the FENZ spokesperson said.

PHOTOS: Wanaka App