A controlled burnoff of over 1000ha on Hunter Valley Station is planned to start this afternoon (Friday September 11), deputy principal rural fire officer for Central Otago Mark Mawhinney said. 

Mark said this was a routine managed burnoff but smoke would be visible, especially to Hawea residents looking up the lake opposite the Dingle Burn.

“It’s unlikely they will see fire but the smoke will be very visible to Hawea residents,” he said.

Light southerly winds predicted this afternoon should aid the burnoff of bracken and brown top, Mark said, and he anticipates the fire should burn quite quickly leaving only a few pockets in gulleys “which might burn a little longer”.

Two helicopters will be on standby throughout the burn which will be monitored.

Mark expects the burn will be mostly finished before nightfall.