Concerns were raised about a burn-off in ''super-dry conditions'' at the Ngapara farm and the farmer organised for Heliventures New Zealand Ltd to help control the fire.
The Waitaki Volunteer Rural Fire Unit attended the Conlans Rd burn-off as backup at 8.42pm, but Heliventures' Fire First Response Team had the fire under control in about two hours, using a monsoon bucket to apply water and foam directly to the fire front.
Rural fire volunteers assisted the Heliventures ground crew.
''It was excellent, really proactive,'' Rural Fire Officer Eric Spittal said.
''It was a good run for our boys, too.''
Heliventures pilot Craig McMillan also praised the farmer for erring on the side of caution.
''He pre-empted what was going to happen ... He did a really good job,'' Mr McMillan said.
Mr Spittal said it was a timely reminder for farmers to check their insurance policies, particularly for fire suppression and damage to residential properties and hay barns.
The Waitaki Volunteer Rural Fire Unit was on ''high alert'' at present, with ''super-dry'' conditions in the region, Mr Spittal said.
''We're making sure we can act really quickly [in the event of a fire],'' he said.
