South Island wildfires: Locals urged to evacuate as Bridge Hill fire burns, multiple blazes in Canterbury and Otago

Residents of an alpine village in Canterbury are being urged to evacuate their homes tonight amid fears a huge blaze that has tripled in size could reach their township overnight.

Smoke from the Bridge Hill fire is drifting towards Castle Hill Village, and there are fears flames could follow.

“It is a lot easier for people to leave now rather than trying to complete an emergency evacuation in the middle of the night, so we are encouraging people to stay with friends and family or return home if this is their holiday home,” Fire and Emergency New Zealand incident commander Brian Keown said.

“In the unlikely event that the fire does reach the village, an evacuation order will be made via Emergency Mobile Alert and door knocking, and we will then do everything in our power to protect the properties if it is safe to do so.”

Keown said Selwyn District Council and Fire and Emergency personnel are going door-to-door to warn residents.

“This is not an evacuation order so if people want to stay they can, but they must be prepared to evacuate at very short notice.”

Nine helicopters, three fixed-wing aircraft as well as 12 trucks, tankers and support vehicles are working to contain the fire, which is being fanned by strong winds.

Diversions are in place on State Highway 73 at Castle Hill Village, Arthurs Pass, and Springfield near Annavale Rd.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

Keown says students from three schools were evacuated from camps in the area as a precaution. Students from two of the schools had been staying at the Environmental Education Centre, while the others were at Forest Lodge.

“All other school camps are safe and away from the fire.

“Parents can be assured that their children are not in danger.”

Rudolf Steiner School principal Paul Kennedy told the Herald a group of its students were evacuated from the Environmental Education Centre because of the fire.

“They were transported back to school. We are very thankful that all our students, staff and helpers are safely back home,” he said.

Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora issued a public health warning for the smoke from the Bridge Hill fire.

“Air around this location is smoky and there is potential that people who are sensitive to smoke – such as those with heart or lung conditions, people who are pregnant, young children and the elderly – may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation,” it said in a statement.

Medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton said exposure to smoke can worsen pre-existing health conditions such as heart and lung disease.

“People affected by the smoke should close windows and doors and reduce outdoor exercise.”

Firefighters tackle blazes across Canterbury and Otago

Fire crews across Canterbury and Otago are working to contain a “rash” of different fires, citing “extreme fire behaviour”.

Otago firefighters from multiple brigades are responding to vegetation fires in Central and coastal Otago this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency has activated its Regional Co-ordination Centre in Dunedin.

Otago District Commander Phil Marsh says strong winds, warm temperatures and low humidity are making some of the blazes challenging to contain.

This morning, crews were called to a fire on Scotland St, State Highway 8 on the outskirts of Roxburgh, followed soon after by a second fire a few kilometres away on Wright Rd.

It took firefighters from the Roxburgh, Dunstan, Millers Flat Alexandra and Tapanui brigades, supported by two helicopters, to bring them both under control.

As at 3.30pm, firefighters were still dealing with hotspots.

At the same time, firefighters from Balclutha, Brighton, Lookout Point, Port Chalmers, Waihola and Wakari were working to contain a fire in forestry slash on Taieri Mouth Rd at Kuri Bush, south of Dunedin.

The fire was reported at 1.40pm.

The fire on Bridge Hill, in the Southern Alps is now 140 ha in size, December 5. Photo / Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Shortly afterwards, a scrub fire between Lawrence and Waitahuna was reported.

Firefighters from Lawrence, Waitahuna, Balclutha and Milton responded and had brought the fire under control by 3pm.

However, just after 3pm, Balclutha firefighters were called to a report of a slash fire spreading into trees on View St. As at 3.20pm, they were still working to bring that fire under control, taking water directly from the Clutha River.

SH73 near Craigieburn is closed and will be for some time, Fire and Emergency said.

“People should avoid the area and look to make alternative travel arrangements if they were planning to use this road today.”

Emergency services were called at 4.24 am.

Large vegetation fire on Bridge Hill in central Canterbury. Photo / Fire & Emergency

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said wind gusts were up to about 45km/h, alongside 26C heat.

“Fairly strong, gusty winds that we’re seeing out there, and obviously we’ve got quite a bit of heat as well,” Makgabutlane said.

“Strong winds are making this fire difficult to get under control,” Fire and Emergency said.

“Smoke is not affecting SH73 at this stage but we are concerned about people looking at the fire as they drive past. Please keep your eyes on the road. We don’t need a crash on top of what we are dealing with.”

The large vegetation fire at Bridge Hill. Photo / Fire and Emergency

Fire and Emergency is urging residents across the South Island to always check the weather forecast before lighting fires.

“Some parts of Otago are already in a restricted fire season, meaning permits are required to light outdoor fires.

“Even if no permit is needed, windy conditions are a clear signal to refrain from lighting a fire and to check old fire sites to make sure they are not reigniting.”

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based Multimedia Journalist and breaking news reporter.