"In the night there were some small flare-ups and we will be concentrating on hot spots this morning," Mr Bailey said.

The Glenorchy volunteer rural fire service kept watch on the scene overnight and this morning at 8am six helicopters were deployed to deal with hotspots and further dousing of the burn area.

"We have eight crews on the ground today and we are hoping to be on top of any hotspots by midday. We are certainly looking at a vastly improved situation, we're fairly confident we're on top of the fire now," Mr Bailey said.

Due to the nature, duration and size of the fire the National Rural Fire Authority was now working with the local rural fire team.

"These people are very experienced in large and difficult fires and its good to have their support," Mr Bailey said. Crews today included staff from DOC, Delta, Works Infrastructure and fire-fighters enlisted from Dunedin.

"We are also very grateful to the local volunteers who have been contributing throughout this fire," Mr Bailey said. Both Arrowtown and Kingston volunteer brigades were on call today and would be brought in to assist if necessary.

The fire, which was first detected on Sunday on the Lake Wakatipu side of the Kingston Highway, was located in difficult and mountainous terrain, burning towards the south east from Lake Wakatipu into the Hector Mountains. The fire is now contained having burned 739ha over the last six days.

Aircraft were still being asked to stay out of the fire zone, due to the ongoing intensive helicopter activity. The Kingston highway remains open.

The fire was a multi-agency fire covering DOC estate and Queenstown Lakes District.

"I can confirm an official investigation is now underway and is being undertaken by the National Rural Fire Authority," Mr Bailey said. The cost of the fire had yet to be calculated but Mr Bailey said it was in the region of hundreds of thousands of dollars.

ENDS

For further information please contact Gordon Bailey 0274 423 126.

By: Tamah