Firefighters tackling a large vegetation fire in Queenstown have stood down for the night.
The fire, which has been burning on steep slopes above the shores of Lake Wakatipu since Tuesday morning, is not yet contained or controlled.
Assistant District Commander Nic McQuillan said the size of the fireground had increased from about 146 hectares to about 390 hectares.
Efforts to protect the historic Walter Peak homestead and other buildings in its vicinity have been successful, McQuillan said.
Earlier, Walter Peak tour operator RealNZ said people had been evacuated and experiences were cancelled.
Firefighters from Queenstown, Frankton, Glenorchy and Mossburn worked on the western flank to consolidate the perimeter, alongside six helicopters, until sunset when operations were suspended.
Those in areas affected by drifting smoke, including Hanleys Farm and Jacks Point, should keep doors and windows shut to avoid smoke overnight, McQuillan said.
Ground and air operations would resume in the morning, with more than a dozen firefighters supported by helicopters with monsoon buckets, and another directing the air attack.
McQuillan said watercraft should stay well offshore from Walter Peak when helicopters resume flying on Wednesday, to avoid aircraft filling monsoon buckets from the lake.