Updated Tuesday February 18: The Mt Iron Reserve is now fully open.

Mt Iron Reserve will be closed from 12pm-6am for the next three days (Saturday February 15 to Tuesday February 18) due to an extreme wildfire risk.

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) is advising residents and visitors to avoid using the reserve, which includes the very popular Mt Iron Track, during these times.

“We know that a wildfire in one of our reserves could have a devastating effect on our people, environment and economy,” QLDC community services general manager Ken Bailey said.

“Closing access to the area while the danger is at such elevated levels is the safest option.”

He said fire indices had reached levels which trigger a closure under QLDC’s Wildfire Reserve Closure Plan.

It was brought on by an extended spell of hot and dry weather and high temperatures forecast for the next three days.

QLDC parks manager Dave Winterburn confirmed the weather is forecast to be more extreme in the afternoons in the coming days as temperatures rise throughout the day, causing humidity to drop and leading to hotter, drier conditions. 

“We’d advise those who’d like to continue to access Mount Iron Reserve to do so in the mornings when the weather is cooler and risk is lower,” Dave said.

“We’ll closely monitor the indices and either extend the half day closures or reopen the reserve on Tuesday at 6.00am or as soon as it is considered safe to do so.”

Otago Community risk manager James Knapp says Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is providing expertise and guidance to QLDC in determining how wildfire risk on Mount Iron Reserve should be managed.

QLDC will place signage at entrance points to the reserve and has notified all stakeholders in line with its agreed closure plan, Dave said.

During the reserve closure, access to Mount Iron Reserve is limited to the easily accessible trails around the base of the reserve only. A map showing these trails can be found here.

The Wānaka App will update this closure on its Notices page.

Meanwhile, the remainder of the district is subject to a total fire ban implemented by FENZ.  

PHOTO: Supplied