Firefighters at the massive Onamalutu fire in Marlborough are likely to be there for another couple of weeks.

At least 40 hotspots have been identified by crews flying over the area today.

The fire still stretches around 600 hectares, with hot, dry and windy conditions forecast for this afternoon.

Rob Hands of the National Rural Fire Authority says the rest of the day will be a challenge. 

He says it will be some time before they can even begin to consider the fire extinguished.

= Newstalk ZB