A rural community is rallying after a wildfire killed a working dog and destroyed farm buildings in East Otago.
It was just after midnight on a gusty weekday morning last month, when farmer John Harvie was woken by a phone call.
On the other end was one of his staff, who called about "a glow in the sky", possibly a fire burning somewhere near the Harvie family farm in Nenthorn Valley, about 10km from Macraes.
He woke family members and residents in a cottage across the road.
Firefighters were called from Fire and Emergency New Zealand and OceanaGold’s Macraes gold mine.
The wind was gusting about 70kmh.
Thankfully, the wind direction sent the fire away from the house and towards a kale crop on his 1300ha sheep and beef farm, slowing the spread.
The fire killed his huntaway dog Zip and destroyed his shearer’s quarters, woolshed and workshop.
When the wind changed direction, the fire spread to a neighbouring farm, owned by Duncan and Georgie McGregor.
Mrs McGregor said the fire burnt about 60ha of their 1650ha sheep and beef property Havrincourt.
The fire advanced to paddocks of kale, which "thankfully" narrowed its spread.
The community rallied to replace the section of fencing last month.
Mrs McGregor said the community response was "amazing" as it was looking unlikely any of the losses would be covered by insurance. "The fact those guys have come and donated their time for us is massive," she said.
She especially thanked Middlemarch couple Bevan and Anna Wilson for organising the group of about 25 volunteers.
Mr Harvie and his wife Tricia also praised the volunteers.
Mr Harvie said the fire was not being treated as suspicious.
He believed the source of the fire was an arcing powerline.
A Fire and Emergency spokeswoman said the investigation was ongoing.
