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Simon O’Connor / Stuff
A wildfire in rural Southland is under control. [File photo]
A vegetation fire in western Southland is under control, but it would have been “horrendous” if it spread, says a fire marshal.
Firefighters were called to a farmland fire on Sinclair Rd, Opium, around 12:20 p.m. Wednesday.
Nightcaps Fire Chief Tony Philpott said the land bordered a 10,000-acre forest block where the fire broke out.
“He went two meters into the forest but the ground [fire] teams came in and detained him. “
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The fire covered about 20 hectares, Philpott said.
“He was well involved when we first arrived.”
Fire and Emergency Community Engagement Advisor Sally Chesterfield said three helicopters were used to put out the fire, but only one was needed by late afternoon.
Firefighters from Nightcaps were the first to arrive on the scene and were soon joined by teams from Blackmount, Drummond, Mossburn and Hedgehope.
After doing the initial work, the teams from the Nightcaps, Mossburn and Athol brigades were withdrawn.
By 5 p.m., the fire was contained and the abatement process was underway, Chesterfield said.
She thought the firefighters would finish around 7pm.
“We don’t know what caused it.”
Temperatures in Southland reached 24 ° C on Wednesday.
