Firefighters have contained a blaze in Berwick Forest, near Dunedin, but were concerned about gale force winds forecast for the area.
The fire at the 13,000 hectare pine forest owned started about 1am on Monday. The plantation, 30 kilometres south of Dunedin, is owned by Wenita Forest Products.
Wenita chief executive Roger Hancock says rural fire officers and private firefighters employed by his company have the fire contained to an area of about six hectares.
Four helicopters have been working on the blaze since daylight and ground crews are putting out hotspots, he says.
