Walter Peak fire near Queenstown contained after burning 1350 hectares
A vegetation fire that started at Walter Peak Station near Queenstown and grew to 1350 hectares over three days has been fully contained, with firefighters standing down.
What happened
A vegetation fire broke out on Walter Peak, a high country station south of Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown, on Tuesday morning. The fire, which followed a controlled scrub burn carried out the week before and reignited, spread rapidly across steep terrain, reaching 1350 hectares by the time it was contained. Fire and Emergency NZ responded with helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets and ground crews working in difficult conditions. The fire sent thick smoke billowing across the area, visible from Queenstown. RealNZ, which operates Walter Peak Station as a tourist destination accessed by the coal-fired TSS Earnslaw steamship, evacuated guests, contractors and staff to the amphitheatre and cancelled tours. Firefighters suspended operations overnight on Tuesday and Wednesday due to the fire not being contained, but rain on Wednesday night assisted crews in securing the perimeter. The fireground has now been handed back to landowners, and a senior specialist fire investigator will examine whether the earlier controlled burn was connected to the blaze.
Key facts
- Walter Peak Station, near Queenstown
- Fire started Tuesday morning
- Spread to 1350 hectares
- Reignited from controlled scrub burn carried out the previous week
- Contained after three days with overnight rain assistance
What happens next
A senior specialist fire investigator will examine the connection between the controlled burn and the massive fire.
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Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
What outlets are saying
RNZ
Scrub fire near Queenstown fully contained, firefighters stand down
The Walter Peak fireground has been handed back to landowners, after an assessment of conditions and expected weather.
NZ Herald
Walter Peak fire: Overnight rain brings relief to crews battling 1400ha blaze near Queenstown
Overnight rain has eased smoke and improved conditions for crews.
Newstalk ZB
Fire sends huge smoke plume over Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown
A fire is burning on a hillside beside Lake Wakatipu near Queenstown, sending thick clouds of smoke across the water.
Stuff
Walter Peak fire contained as investigators probe link to controlled burn
A senior specialist fire investigator will examine whether a controlled burn carried out days earlier was connected to the massive Walter Peak fire.
1News
Huge fire at Queenstown’s Walter Peak contained
The blaze tore through an estimated 1350ha of land after burning for three days.