Fire crews extinguish large grass fire on Crown Range

Four fire crews were called to a grass fire threatening a structure on Glencoe Rd on the Crown Range yesterday aftenoon.

Fire communications shift manager Blair Walklin said Fire and Emergency New Zealand sent three crews from Arrowtown and one from Frankton to the fire. 

On arrival, the crews were met with a 200m by 200m grass fire but it wasn't threatening a nearby structure, he said. The fire was extinguished by 3.30pm.

Walklin said he couldn't say what the structure was, but images sent to Crux show a charred field behind what appears to be a house.

The fire is believed to have been started by mowing and burnt through approximately one hectare of grass.  

Fire and Emergency Group Manager Bobby Lamont says there’s more dry vegetation to burn in the area due to minimal rainfall over winter.

“As we move closer to the warmer months this fire danger will increase,” he says.

“We ask people planning an outdoor fire or spark causing activities to first check out www.checkitsalright.nz  and assess the current and forecast weather."

A house with the remnants of the grass fire in the background.