Wildfires in north Otago. Photo: FENZ / supplied
Fire controllers are hopeful all residents evacuated because of wildfires in north Otago will be able to return home later on Tuesday.
Ten fire crews, comprising 35 firefighters and one digger, remain on the scene after a series of fires broke out at Nenthorn, near Middlemarch shortly after midnight on Monday morning.
Two crews monitored the fireground overnight and put out hotspots.
Another fire which broke out in the Earthquakes area, about 7km from Duntroon, has burned through about 30 hectares of conservation land.
All fires are now contained.
No homes were lost in the fire, but a small number of farm buildings were destroyed or damaged, with crews on Tuesday overhauling burnt buildings and felling dangerous nearby trees.
The fires burned through 78 hectares of farmland. Three households were evacuated, but most residents had been cleared to return home.
Incident controller Bobby Lamont said one resident was still unable to return home, but was hopeful they should be able to later on Tuesday.
Lamont said Nenthorn, Ramrock and Butter and Egg Roads remained closed, but were expected to open later on Tuesday.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand has handed over the fireground at the second fire in Earthquakes to Department of Conservation fire crews to monitor and mop up.
Fire investigations were underway for both events.
