Illegal fireworks were the cause of three large bushfires on the hillside near Cons Track before midnight on New Year’s Eve.  

Fire and Emergency NZ said a fire started at approximately 11pm and spread to form three separate fires on the side of the hill, approximately 30 metres square.

Appliances from Wānaka, Luggate and Tarras attended the blaze and had it extinguished by 12.30am, leaving a crew to monitor it. Police said enquiries are underway.

“We’d like to remind everyone in Central Otago that it is a prohibited fire season and individual use of fireworks is banned,” a FENZ spokesperson told the Wānaka App.