Firefighters in Nelson brought a large scrub fire near a residential area under control on the afternoon of New Year's Day.
The Fire Service says the blaze began near Emano St in the suburb of Toi Toi at about 3pm.
It says houses in nearby Matipo Tce could have been threatened but three pump trucks and a 4WD vehicle were able to contain the fire.
The service says the smoke was clearly visible in the Nelson area and it received about 50 or 60 calls from the public reporting it.
