Four Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) crews spent the weekend containing spot fires and monitoring the forest on the slopes of Mount Maude, near Wanaka.
The massive blaze is believed to have started about 5.20pm by the roadside near Capell Ave, the turn-off into Lake Hawea near State Highway 6.
An investigation into the cause is ongoing, but a Fenz spokesman told the ODT last night the fire was believed to have been started by fireworks.
The fire had threatened to spread to six nearby homes, and 10 residents were evacuated. They have now all returned.
On Friday, many other Lake Hawea residents and visitors saw the drama unfold from Lake Hawea Hotel, watching as four helicopters used monsoon buckets to collect water from the lake and dump it on the forest blaze, containing it.
The hotel became something of a community hub, as roads were closed, and Fenz established a command post on the property, about 300m away from the fire.
Mark Mawhinney, Deputy Principal Rural Fire Officer for Central Otago, thanked its staff and owners.
"That was really nice to hear." hotel owner Kellianne Karatau said yesterday.
"We fed them on the first night, made them pizzas, and gave accommodation to firefighters who needed it, and to a command post on our property.
"We gave them as much support as they could because they were doing such a great job for the community."
Fenz crews from Lake Hawea, Wanaka, Makarora, Luggate, Tarras, Dunstan, Blackstone (Omakau) and Glenorchy tackled the blaze.
Southern Communications Centre shift manager Andrew Norris yesterday confirmed crews had stood down: "All done and dusted — it has been declared out and all-safe.
"The decision was made at about midday."
New Zealand Police, Department of Conservation, Otago Civil Defence and Emergency Management, New Zealand Transport Agency, and Queenstown Lakes District Council were all involved in the successful operation.
Fenz is requesting any photographs or video of the fire in its early stages be emailed Mr Mawhinney (at mark.mawhinney@fireandemergency.nz) to assist the investigation.
