UPDATED: 5.44PM Firefighters and two helicopters have brought a large fire on the Otematata station in North Otago under control.

The fire started at about 1.30 this afternoon.

The fire was not threatening any properties but was causing a smoke nuisance on State Highway 83 for some time this afternoon.

Fire Service southern communications centre shift manager Andrew Norris said it looks like the fire was lit on purpose.

Fire services believe there were fire breaks in place, which indicates a controlled burn-off.

However this could not be confirmed at this stage.

There is a complete fire ban in place for the area.