Police are investigating a suspicious fire on Department of Conservation land last night.
An area of vegetation was set alight on Koramako Corner, at the intersection of Springvale Road and State Highway 8 (Clyde-Alexandra Road) in Clyde, Central Otago.
Senior Constable Leighton McRitchie said it was the second such fire in the same area in the last six months.
The land where the fire occurred is owned by the Department of Conservation and managed by the Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust.
It was planted with native Central Otago plants 25 years ago by the Department of Conservation and the native planting is now being extended by the Clyde Railhead Community Eco Trust, on behalf of the Haehaeata Natural Heritage Trust.
A lot of volunteer hours had gone into extending the planting and the two fires had been very distressing to those who had worked so hard on the site, McRitchie said.
Call Alexandra Police on 03 440 2500 or anonymously phone Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you have information that could help police.