Fire and Emergency were called to reports of a large blaze at Mount Cook Road towards the Dusky Trail on Sunday at around 11.25 am.
14 helicopters and two planes were battling the blaze during the day but had to halt work overnight. Multiple fire crews were also battling the blaze to try and contain it before it spread further.
All helicopters and planes resumed their work to distinguish the blaze on Monday morning.
One person was treated for minor injuries during the day.
Roadblocks are in place at the intersection of State Highway 80 and State Highway 8 (50 kilometres southbound from Mt Cook village), further north on State Highway 80 is also closed. Cars are being turned around and are advised to stay away from the area.
Police examined properties in the surrounding area, also assisting with fire crews and traffic management.
Due to strong winds, the blaze is spreading quickly. It could last for days if it is not contained in time, which is likely.
The fire would not spread further south than as far as the bottom of Lake Pukaki.
The scrub fire burning at the southern end of Lake Pukaki is just about visible from 36,000km above the Earth. ^RK pic.twitter.com/6CwWe0ORif
— MetService (@MetService) August 30, 2020
MetService issued a strong wind observer for the Canterbury High Country, valid for 42 hours until 3 am on Tuesday, which projects northwest winds may approach severe gale in imperilled places.
Jessica Lennon, who took the photos and sent them into thisquality said she knows two friends that live up on the hill right next to the blaze.
"It's very, very big. And, the flames are like tall. It's kind of like you never expect it to happen around you," said Jessica.
More updates to come as they surface on this developing story exclusive to thisquality.
Posted from my blog with SteemPress : https://thisquality.com/large-fire-spreads-rapidly-near-mt-cook-aoraki/