Ranfurly volunteer firefighters douse a small fire beside State Highway 85 between Ranfurly and Kyeburn yesterday afternoon.
The road was closed due to smoke so thick the centre line could not be seen at times, Chief Fire Officer James Hazlett said.
The brigade was called to the scene about 12.30pm after a grass and gorse burn-off in a paddock ''got through the fence'' and started burning grass alongside the road, he said.
The road was closed for about 10 minutes and then one lane was opened when it was clear enough for traffic.
Mr Hazlett said there had been cases in the past where farmers had been prosecuted for causing such road hazards but that would not happen in this case.
He did say anyone lighting a fire near a road should be aware of the potential hazards.
The brigade was at the scene for about an hour and a-half.
