Helicopters and fixed wing aircraft resources are expected to resume operations this morning to battle a large blaze in Mackenzie.

The fire near Lake Pukaki was reported to Fire and Emergency New Zealand at approximately 11.25am on Sunday morning.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman says the fire is burning over an area of 2,000 hectares of forestry and scrub on both sides of SH80.

State Highways 8 has reopened but 80 remain closed due to smoke blowing across the highway.

There is no current threat to Mount Cook village.

Reports suggesting the village was evacuated were incorrect.

50 visitors from the Glentanner Holiday Park was evacuated yesterday.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said only day visitors and campers were escorted out of the village.

A SALUTE TO SOME SPECIAL KIWIS

Author and Mackenzie resident Mary Hobbs said “all of the homes in the face of the fire would have already been destroyed without the tireless efforts of dedicated helicopter pilots dumping water from Lake Pukaki onto all buildings in the area.”

“They kept going in the face of a daunting inferno.”

Ms Hobbs said “it takes a tremendous amount of guts to fly in those conditions with smoke, wind and flames, which at times reached to 100 metres in height.”

She said “what they achieved is outstanding”.

“Each one of these brave pilots deserves to be named, along with the helicopter companies they represent.”

“Hannibal Hayes, Southern Lakes Helicopters, also known as Heliworks here locally, is one of them. He was here and had a number of machines right on the front lines, as did others, and wasted no time in getting here.”

“Then there is also Skids, who flies for Heli-line, Aspiring helicopters, and many others hard to tell in the smoke.”

Ms Hobbs said “these helicopter companies have had an incredibly tough year with little or no government support when 95% of their clients were cut due to recent government restrictions.”

“Despite a package being announced to assist this industry, most of the operators were left out in the cold with government aviation-related organisations being distributed the funds instead. I urge this to be re-looked at. New Zealand cannot afford to lose them.”

“Also the volunteer firefighters’; those men and women who drop everything to answer up and stay as long as is needed to provide backup in whatever capacity they can.”

“These great people came from Mount Cook National Park, Kurow, Otematata, Omarama, Tekapo, Fairlie, Timaru, and now backups are coming in from Christchurch, Timaru, Rakaia, Tinwald and Ashburton, as well as other places all over Canterbury, too. Also the local police were there backing up the crews and providing and helping the operation to run smoothly. Amazing teamwork for a common cause.”

A Fire and Emergency spokesman says the service is grateful for the offers of help from the community.

“Currently we are organising food and accommodation for a number of personnel who are assisting and we thank those who have provided resources and support at short notice.”