Seventeen fire trucks and a helicopter have been sent to a major scrub fire in Kirwee in Canterbury this morning.
A second helicopter has been deployed to help with the blaze, which was first reported around the Courtenay Rd area at 5.47am.
An “unknown number of crew members” are fighting the fire, Fire and Emergency southern shift manager Darryl Ball said.
Ball told the Herald: “It’s a fire in a forestry block and is believed to be six hectares in size.
“The fire is contained but certainly not out.”
His message to locals was simple - “Please don’t go down and have a look.”
Just days ago firefighters were battling scrub fires that sparked along rail lines in Kirwee.
Multiple homes were threatened by the fires which were started by sparks from the brakes of a freight train.
The Canterbury region has been dealing with extreme temperatures, with 32C and windy conditions forecast today in Christchurch.
The hot humid temperatures coupled with strong northwesterly winds in Canterbury have local fire crews on high alert.
“Today is an extreme fire day, which means a fire can easily start and be hard to contain,” Canterbury Fire and Emergency said in an online post.
Fire crews are urging Canterbirans to avoid mowing lawns or doing hot work during the hottest parts of the day.
“Any sparks could cause a fast-moving wildfire.
“Please avoid lighting any fires, even approved fire types. Check any fires you have previously lit in the past week and ensure they are fully extinguished” the post said.
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