Crews battled the out of control Waitaki bush fire. Photo: Otago Fire and Emergency / Supplied
A large vegetation fire in the South Island's Waitaki District has been contained after spreading rapidly earlier today.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand Incident Commander Bobby Lamont said that earlier Saturday, the fire flared up with flames reaching six to eight metres.
"Then around 1pm, rain forced our three ground crews working with hand tools to stop work," he said.
Air operations were also stood down due to weather.
"Rain and cooler weather has helped to suppress the fire and a late afternoon flyover found no evidence of smoke or hotspots."
Lamont said all firefighting operations have ended for the day.
"The land owner will monitor the fire ground overnight and crews will be back at 6.30am tomorrow morning to continue operations."
The vegetation fire started yesterday around midday and burned through 806 hectares of farmland, tussock and scrub.
Strong winds had been forecast for the region by MetService.