A Wanaka volunteer Fire and Emergency New Zealand crew was called to Mt Alpha about 3.15pm yesterday when smoke was seen coming from an area 300m up the eastern flank of the mountain.
A helicopter with a monsoon bucket was later dispatched to the scene.
Principal Rural Fire Officer Graeme Still said the fire, which broke out on January 3, was ``very deep seated''.
Helicopters with monsoon buckets and volunteer fire crews from around the central lakes, Southland and Mt Cook fought the blaze over several days.
Two hundred hectares of steep hill pasture belonging to Hillend high country sheep station were burnt but no nearby houses or stock were lost.
Mr Still said spot fires around the perimeter of the burnt area were unlikely to occur but they could continue to flare up near the centre until there was a decent rainfall.
The results of the investigation into the cause of the fire are expected to be made public on Thursday.
