Fire crews are still working to a containment line around the major fire at Awarua, near Invercargill.
An image of the fire burning in peat at Awarua, south of Invercargill, on 3 April, 2022. Photo: Fire and Emergency NZ
The thousand hectare blaze has been burning since Saturday, largely through Department of Conservation land consisting of mānuka scrub and peat soils.
Nine helicopters and nine ground crews have been fighting the fire today, with heavy machinery used to create fire breaks.
Fire and Emergency says the conditions for firefighters are ideal. Fire incident controller Patrik Eschenmoser says it has taken a tremendous effort to keep current containment lines in place overnight.
"We had weather on our side thankfully, so anticipated changes in wind strength and direction have not eventuated so that did really help as well," he said.
Eschenmoser said today's objectives include extending and completing the containment, but they are concerned about forecast high winds.
The area where the fire is burning is remote, with just a few huts and holiday homes nearby, but none are threatened so far.
Awarua-Waituna is one of New Zealand's largest remaining coastal wetland systems, one of five significant wetlands in the Department of Conservation's national Awarai Kākāriki wetlands restoration programme. It is home to many wading birds and other species.
Environment Southland says the flora and fauna losses could potentially be devastating.