Helicopters are being used in an attempt to control a fire in Arrowtown this afternoon. PHOTO: PHILIP CHANDLER
Three helicopters are currently battling a fire in Arrowtown that started when a burn-off spread to a neighboring property earlier today.
According to a spokesperson from Fire and Emergency New Zealand, the Arrowtown crew was alerted to the blaze around 3:45 pm.
As of now, the fire is not considered to be out of control, but firefighting crews are working alongside the landowner to contain it.
By 6 pm, three helicopters were actively involved in fighting the fire, which spans approximately 350m by 400m, the spokesperson confirmed.
The fire is located near Coronet Forest.
A reporter from the Otago Daily Times who was present at the scene observed five distinct columns of smoke, indicating that the fire was spreading uphill.
