The main highway between Canterbury and the West Coast through Arthur's Pass has been closed today by a major scrub fire.
Fanned by a strong northwest wind the fire has blazed out-of-control for much of the morning in the Waimakariri Gorge near Lake Grasmere.
State Highway 73 has been closed to assist
firefighting operations by the Fire Service and the Department of Conservation.
Chris Munro of the Southern Fire Control Centre said that a series of 111 calls alerted the Fire Service to the fire about 5.42 am.
Fire engines from Springfield, Lake Coleridge, Arthur's Pass and West Melton were called in.
Apart from Fire Service units, helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft were being used to battle the blaze and DOC sent in staff to assist.
At mid-morning the fire was still raging out-of-control.
Mr Munro said that the fire was on quite a large front and was being fanned by a strong northwest wind.
Inspector Bob Palmer of the Police Southern Communication Centre said that as State Highway 73 was closed motorists had to use the alternative route through the Lewis Pass.
With temperatures rising into the high 20s and high winds expected to continue this afternoon, the National Rural Fire Authority banned all burning off in the Canterbury area.
- CHRISTCHURCH STAR
