The rural fire service has taken over the control of a scrub fire that burned for much of the day in Otago.
The gorse fire, which covered about 60 hectares at its peak, has been extinguished.
Crews were called to scene just before 7am and four houses were evacuated and up to 150 more residents were at one point asked to prepare to leave.
But a fire service spokesperson said two units from the rural fire service will remain onsite overnight to dampen down any flare-ups that may occur.
The spokesperson said the area was still considered dangerous, and trees and fence posts could re-ignite if the wind picked up again.
Meanwhile, a fire in Governor's Bay in Canterbury's Banks Peninsula has been fully extinguished and crews left the scene at about 9pm.
