Firefighters battle Canterbury blaze

Firefighters are battling a large scrub fire that has spread to trees near the North Canterbury town of Swannanoa, 27km northwest of Christchurch.

Fire Service southern communications centre shift manager Jan Wills said the blaze, reported just after 1pm, was "rather large".

About 20 volunteer firefighters using three pumps, three tankers and a helicopter with monsoon bucket, were battling the fire which had spread over five paddocks, a shelterbelt and into a plantation of trees on No 10 Road.

It was not known how the fire started, Ms Wills said.

The Fire Service had fielded many calls from the public because the blaze was "quite visible," and smoke was drifting widely in a 40 knot wind, she said.

- NZPA

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