Crews battle Canterbury Plains fire

Nine appliances were called to battle the blaze. Photo / File

A bush fire over 1km long is raging in the Canterbury Plains this evening, the Fire Service says.

Firefighters were called to the blaze off Rakaia Terrace Rd about 3.30pm with nine appliances dispatched, Fire Service southern communications centre shift manager Tim Reynolds said.

Firefighters were called to a blaze in same area earlier in the week but it was not clear whether this was the same fire.

Reynolds said the current fire was about 1km long and 200m wide in trees.

It was not thought to be threatening any properties at this point.