19 March 2008

At 7pm tonight the Kingston state highway fire, which was first detected on Sunday had burned an area of approximately 700 hectares.

"The fire is continuing to burn in the direction of the Hector Range and has now entered into the Central Otago District," Queenstown Lakes District Council principal rural fire chief Gordon Bailey said.

The Kingston Highway had been temporary closed after 4pm, however traffic had been able to move through the area as smoke drift permitted. The road was re-opened after 8pm but would be monitored through the night.

"At this stage we are standing some crews down for the night to resume fire fighting first light," Mr Bailey said.

No buildings were endangered by the blaze and stock in the area had been moved.

A briefing would take place first light and full-scale fire fighting would resume, at that point, Mr Bailey said.

ENDS

For further information please contact Meaghan Miller 027 293 5321.

By: Tamah