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Fire north-west of Dunedin - Source: ONE News -
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Firefighters say rain forecast for Monday will help them fully extinguish the huge forest fire that has raged near Dunedin this week, as the bill for battling the blaze passes the half million dollar mark.
The fire, which started on Tuesday, has affected around 820 hectares at the Mt Allan plantation, 30km north-west of Dunedin.
Up to 70 firefighters were still at the plantation on Saturday. Ten helicopters had been employed to help fight the fire earlier in the week, but that is now down to five.
The flames from midweek are gone and so has most of the smoke. Now thermal imaging from helicopters will find the hot spots.
"The fire gets underneath and particularly when mixed with the soil, it gets very deep seated and it can last for days and days," says Sandy Schroder, sector boss.
Firefighters will decide before it gets dark on Saturday whether they can officially declare the fire contained.
"It's quite a significant step forward in reaching a point of control over the fire and eventually putting the fire out completely," says Bryan Jensen, fire controller.
Winds of about 15kmh were not too much of a problem on Saturday, however it was up to 27 degrees Celsius on the hill, which made it hot, tiring work for the firefighters, principal rural fire officer Graeme Still said earlier on Saturday.
A bit of forecast rain for Sunday might help but it is hoped there will be more rain on Monday.
A big operation
The fire apparently started by friction on a rope used on a log-hauler.
However, Still said that was just speculation at this stage.
The cause of the fire is being investigated and a number of possible causes are yet to be eliminated.
It is early days but the fire authority had to cover its $500,000 in costs, and if possible it will look to recover them if someone was found to be at fault, Still said.
A fixed-wing aircraft waterbombed flare-ups breaking out in areas of scorched ground on Friday. It was able to dump 2000 litres of water, then be refilled and back with another load of water in seven minutes.
The battle to control the fore had been a sustained, multi-agency affair, with crews coming from stations around the district - from Waitaki, Clutha and Dunedin city, as well as the forestry company Wenita, which responsible for the forest.
Most of the efforts are being directed along the fire's eastern flank, to protect the Dunedin's water catchment area.
Residents of five evacuated houses south of the fire were able to return to their houses on Friday, while some walking tracks in the area also reopened.
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