Canterbury fires: Crews continue fight against Burnham blazes, tyre blowout suspected cause

• Fire and Emergency have begun scaling back their response to scrub fires near Christchurch that destroyed one structure and spurred evacuations.
• During the day, 22 trucks, tankers and support vehicles were on the ground, with five helicopters in the air.
• State Highway 1 was closed south of Burnham but is now open.

Firefighters and two helicopters continue to battle vegetation fires outside Christchurch possibly caused by a tyre blow-out.

Fire and Emergency services received multiple calls to a string of fires along State Highway 1 near Burnham at 1.30pm.

In an 8pm update, incident commander Mike Johns said the response is beginning to be slowly scaled back.

“Multiple crews, tankers and fire trucks are still at the scene along with two helicopters with monsoon buckets,” he said.

“Residents from nearby homes who were evacuated this afternoon have been allowed to return home. Crews will be patrolling the scene overnight to deal with any flare-ups. SH1 has reopened.”

The fire has burned an estimated 30 hectares, partly within the Selwyn River bed and partly on adjoining farmland.

Johns said a fire investigation is under way and the preliminary finding was that the fire is linked to a vehicle that experienced a tyre blow-out.

“However, that will not be confirmed until the investigation is complete.”

In a 5pm update, incident commander Dave Berry said crews managed to save one house and lost a shed near that house.

“We will be here over the next few days and the helicopters will be here until dark.”

Berry said the fire was nearly declared as contained, but fire crews will be there for a few days.

When asked if he was worried about the number of fires in the region lately, Berry said, “Definitely, yes.

“We’ve had a fair hiding this weekend, please be careful out there because we are expecting more fires,” he said.

Police Sergeant Brett Neal said: “From a police point of view we did the evacuations so people are out of harm’s way”.

Neal also thanked motorists for their patience and announced SH1 is now open.

Earlier today, Fire and Emergency said three houses had been evacuated due to the blaze. One structure – a shed – has been destroyed by the fire.

“There are also two other blazes along that road,” said a Fire and Emergency spokesperson.

The fires are burning next to railway tracks in the area.

Police are assisting firefighters at the scene.

“People should avoid the area and follow the instructions of [fire] crews if people are already in the area,” Fire and Emergency said.

Upset property owners at the scene of destructive scrub fires in Burnham, Canterbury. Photo / George Heard

A large-scale response is under way. Photo / George Heard

Firefighters are battling yet more Canterbury blazes. Photo / George Heard

Several large scrub fires have hit the tinder-dry region in recent days.

Firefighters have been working to contain a large blaze in Bridge Hill, near Castle Hill, since last Thursday. Flames spread to 1000ha and resulted in multiple evacuations.

Crews were working on another blaze in Kirwee, which started on Saturday.

Meanwhile, another fire started in West Melton on Sunday and spread to more than 130ha.

Helicopters have joined the firefight. Photo / George Heard

Fire and Emergency posted in an update this morning that they had 13 firefighters working between the West Melton and Kirwee firegrounds, dealing with the hotspots that were identified by the drone crew last night.

“A crew is also patrolling at Bridge Hill today and there will be a meeting with landowners to discuss arrangements for handing back the fire ground to them.”

Livestock trapped in the fire near Burnham today. Photo / George Heard

Firefighters battling the Burnham blaze along SH1 today. Photo / George Heard