Three rural fire crews wait as a major fire breaks out in the Rock and Pillar Range in Middlemarch, Otago

People report a “massive” fire in the hills above Middlemarch tonight.

A spokeswoman for New Zealand Fire and Emergency (Fenz) said at 8.30pm that the blaze was about 400ha in size and was burning on the east face of the Rock and Pillar range.

The fire was too dangerous for crews to approach, so they would monitor it overnight before calling in helicopters and other resources in the morning.

A Middlemarch resident reported that the fire seemed to “double every minute.”
Another nearby resident said he believed it would be difficult to turn it off due to the strong wind in the area.

The fire seemed “huge” and was spreading rapidly down the mountain.

The fire is burning through the DOC Rock and Pillar Scenic Preserve and onto the neighboring farm property behind McKinnon Rd.

A New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said a team from Middlemarch and three teams from Wakari were heading to the scene.

No property was in danger.

Earlier, a farmer with cattle near the fire site was forced to try to move the animals.

The latest fire comes on a day when the south has been ravaged by wildfires.