Fire and Emergency New Zealand stood down crews for the night on Wednesday, but a team remains on the ground at Walter Peak to keep watch near the homestead, which councillor Jon Mitchell described as a major concern.
Mitchell, a Queenstown Lakes District councillor, said the fire spread quickly from where it started near Walter Peak Station on Tuesday, producing significant smoke as it burned through vegetation. Rural fire crews from around the lake and further south have been fighting the blaze for two days.
By Wednesday, the amount of smoke had reduced considerably, and there was no longer a hazard to aviation, which had been a concern for the council. The operation is expected to continue on Thursday with helicopters and ground crews working to contain the fire.
The fire is a large vegetation fire affecting both Walter Peak and Cecil Peak stations. No further details on the size of the area burned or any evacuations were available.