Fire crews remain at the scene of a forest fire near Motueka, believed to have been started by a bank of solar panels near a house.
Photo: RNZ / Rebekah Parsons-King;
Principal rural fire officer Ian Reade said the fire in the Motueka Valley started just after midday yesterday and spread into a steep hillside of pine trees.
About 50 firefighters and forestry crews helped fight the blaze and three helicopter crew worked throughout the afternoon.
"We're still trying to determine how the fire actually happened, but it does appear that it started near a bank of solar panels that were on a grassy space."
Mr Reade said conditions were very dry in the area, with spring grass growth now rapidly drying off.
