Some homes have been evacuated and power was cut to hundreds of people as fire crews battled a blaze near Roxburgh on Monday.
A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman said they received multiple calls about 2.45pm about pine trees on fire in Roxburgh East, across the Clutha River from Roxburgh township.
In an update on Monday evening Fenz said the fire was not yet under control, and crews were still working to protect residential buildings.
Winds that had fanned the flames for much of the afternoon had dropped, and it had started to rain, which would help considerably, a Fenz spokesman said.
Six homes on Ladysmith Rd had been evacuated as a precaution.There had been no damage to any properties.
Earlier, using aircraft to fight the fire was not an option due to the high winds, but a helicopter was now being brought in to assist before nightfall, he said.
“Quite a few" crews were in attendance in the afternoon working alongside the Roxburgh Volunteer Fire Brigade, including firefighters from Lawrence, Millers Flat, Dunstan Rural and Alexandra.
Using aircraft to fight the fire was not an option due to the high winds, the spokesman said.
More than 220 customers in the area were without electricity due to a fire safety disconnection at one point in the afternoon, but power was gradually being restored.
A Ladysmith Rd resident took to social media to ask people to stay away from the area.
"Please . . don't come down Ladysmith Rd unless you need to come here. It's a narrow road and the emergency services need all the room they can get. It's congested here."
The Roxburgh Community Resilience group was on standby to help and other people offered help with animals, food and shelter.
"Your community is at the ready to support you," one posted.
Further south, wild winds brought down power lines in rural Waimumu, near Gore, setting grass and a hedge alight.
Severe weather warnings are covering much of the South Island on Monday as a front brings strong winds and heavy rain at the end of the long weekend.
— additional reporting ODT Online