Firefighters and helicopters are battling a large vegetation fire that is burning near Coronet Peak in Otago.
Fire and Emergency said the blaze is around Skippers Road, and this road has been closed from the intersection with Coronet Peak Rd.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson told Newshub that six helicopters were being used to fight the fire, which had so far spread through six hectares of plantation. They were alerted to the fire at about 6:15pm.
Crews have been stood down for the evening, Fire and Emergency said in a Facebook post, and they will update the situation on Friday morning.
"The fire on the Skippers Road, Coronet Peak, is still burning this evening and the road remains closed from the Coronet Peak turnoff," they said.
"Please stay well away from the area."
The Queenstown Lakes District Council is also asking people to stay away from the area.
