Canterbury scrub fire still burning as crews battle strong winds

Firefighters are urging locals to inspect old burn piles and ensure they are fully extinguished as crews continued to battle a Canterbury scrub fire through the night.

Nine fire crews and a command unit have continued to fight the blaze overnight, with at least two helicopters used to help quell the wildfire that has been raging amid 50km/h winds.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson confirmed the fire has not yet been contained and urged locals to ensure old burn piles do not spread the fire further.

“Even ones from 2 or 3 months ago, they need to be turned over and watered; the wind can whip them up,” the spokesperson said.

“That means turning the whole pile over to ensure there are no smouldering embers that can reignite with the wind.”

It follows a mass operation yesterday which included four helicopters and 22 trucks to contain eight fires in Southbridge and Springfield.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Alex Norris said the Headworks Rd fire was not yet contained and still around 38ha.

Crews are dealing with strong winds, with gusts up 50km/h.Canterbury was under a severe wind watch last night, which lapsed this morning.

Norris said the other scrub fires in Canterbury had been extinguished.

Yesterday, the fire in Southbridge covered at least 30ha, and the blaze in Springfield at least 10ha.

A shed has been wrecked in Southbridge, Fire and Emergency said. Eleven trucks and tankers were responding there, with two helicopters. Police said emergency services responded to Headworks Rd about 3.10pm.

A further 11 trucks and tankers and two helicopters were in Springfield.

Last night, Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the Headworks Rd fire still had multiple helicopters and ground crews working to contain it.

Main Rakaia Rd is currently closed to traffic from Headworks Rd to Knyvettes Rd.

The Springfield fire is now contained and under control and will be monitored over the coming days.

Fire and Emergency is asking people to not light any fires today.

Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers business, breaking news and local stories from Tāmaki Makaurau. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.