Raging fire cuts off Glenorchy

Authorities have re-opened the Glenorchy Road to the public again after a flare up late Wednesday afternoon. 

The road was initially closed for the first time the after a scrub fire overnight at a nearby campsite. 

The Glenorchy Road has been closed due to the scrub fire overnight (Grant Findlay/Newshub)
The Glenorchy Road has been closed due to the scrub fire overnight (Grant Findlay/Newshub)

Police seek information over Queenstown fire

Police want information relating to the bush fire which ravaged the Glenorchy area, closing the main road and leaving hundreds of residents without power.

They say the Rat Point area, where the fire is suspected to have started, is accessible by both vehicles and boats and is frequently used by campers and trampers.

Police also confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that two tramper's reported missing in the area are now safe.

Anyone with information are encouraged to contact the Queenstown Police on 03 441 1600.

Crews have been working all night to contain the fire (supplied)
Crews have been working all night to contain the fire (supplied)

Fire ’50 percent contained’ 

The fire that engulfed more than 150ha of rural shrub near Queenstown is still on-going but is slowly becoming under control from Fire services.

Fire Officer Jamie Cowan says the terrain is making things difficult.

"It's probably 50 percent contained at the moment," he says.

"[There's] very, very steep slopes and quite tricky edges that we’ll have crews in for probably at least three days, perhaps more."

There is no cause of the fire but is believed to have started at a campsite at Rat Point, Mr Cowan says there will be an investigation.

"We'll be starting formal investigations tomorrow," he says.

More than 50 firefighters have been involved in the Glenorchy blaze (James Allan)
More than 50 firefighters have been involved in the Glenorchy blaze (James Allan)

Fire cuts power to Glenorchy

A 50 hectare shrub fire near Queenstown as cut power to the Glenorchy area.

Authorities say at least 335 properties are effected and there is no timeline as to when power will be restored as repair crews will only get access to the area after the fire is put out.

Fire crews have been battling overnight (supplied)
Fire crews have been battling overnight (supplied)

Blaze could take days to dampen

An aerial unit is undertaking reconnaissance and mapping of the area to determine the extent of damage and identify any further areas in danger.

Fire Officer Jamie Cowan says they hope to have a better understanding of the situation.

"We are hitting it hard with all the resources we have available because the forecast is for winds to pick up this afternoon, with no rain expected before midnight tonight," he says.

Mr Cowan said early on Wednesday morning that the fire could take three to five days to put out.

Glenorchy fire burns through scrub
The fire stretches as high as a double storey house (QLDC)

Raging fire spread rapidly

At least seven helicopters are fighting the fire on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

The blaze erupted about 10 kilometres from Sunshine Bay around midnight, and has rapidly spread.

The fire has reached the ridgeline along Jessie Peak which the council says has reduced the threat of nearby houses.

The closest homes are currently two kilometres from the fire.

Queenstown-Lakes council spokesperson Michelle Poole says the road to Glenorchy has been closed and power has been cut to the town.

"We don't know how it started but it very quickly spread uphill, jumped the road and is now burning along the ridgelines. There is a lot of fuel there that it can get into."

Five crews, around 50 firefighters, from Queenstown, Frankton, Arrowtown, Glenorchy, Kingston and Alexandra have been brought in, along with helicopters.

No evacuations have been ordered, but Bob's Cove and Closeburn Station residents have been alerted.

The council says once the fire is out of the immediate vicinity of the road, the road and the slope about will be inspected for falling rocks and debris dislodged by the fire.

It is hoped Glenorchy Rd can be reopened this afternoon.

Newshub.