Canterbury wildfires behind the scenes with the volunteer firefighters

Canterbury firefighters have worked against extreme heat, wind and exhaustion over the past few days as multiple fires blazed across the parched region. Many of those involved are volunteers, taking time away from their jobs and families to protect communities. Herald breaking news journalist Katie Oliver and photographer George Heard report.

Firefighters returning to the station after battling the Burnham blaze, December 12. Photo / George Heard

They were dirty and dusty. Their hair and clothes reeked of smoke. They were also worn out. It had been a few days for the volunteers at a little rural volunteer fire station in Dunsandel, south of Christchurch.

Rushing away from their full-time jobs, their families, and all other life commitments, they had sprung into action 11 times in the past eight days.

The fire season has started early, and aggressively, in Canterbury, tinder-dry with little prospect of rain on the radar.

After battling the rapidly spreading blaze near Burnham yesterday, they met back at Dunsandel fire station to take stock — and let Herald visual journalist George Heard behind the scenes.

They shared stories of fighting the various fires as they prised off their gear, eager to cool down, and wind down after yet another hot and testing day.

Firefighters have been battling a series of major fires in the Canterbury region over the past 10 days. Photo / George Heard

It all started near Castle Hill in the Southern Alps last Wednesday, December 4, when a vegetation fire rapidly spread, threatening the nearby alpine village and closing a main highway. Three school camps cut their trips short.

By Thursday, multiple residents had evacuated, with others ordered to be prepared to get out at short notice.

Canterbury fire crews battled “extreme fire behaviour” as strong winds and extreme heat descended on the region.

There had been little rain, while the warm and blustery nor-wester winds dried things out even more.

Firefighters at the Dunsandel fire station. Photo / George Heard

By Thursday, the Castle Hill fire had doubled in size — spanning across 1000 hectares at its peak.

Fire and Emergency Canterbury district commander Dave Stackhouse said 86 firefighters worked to put out the blaze.

Firefighters at Dunsandel station. Photo / George Heard

As crews at Castle Hill continued to work on the scene, more were called out to another major fire in West Melton on Sunday.

The vegetation fire broke out on a riverbed and spread to pine trees on Old West Coast Rd by the Waimakariri River, forcing further evacuations.

Firefighters at Dunsandel Station after returning from the Burnham blaze. Photo / George Heard

Meanwhile, a second blaze 10km away pulled some firefighters to Kirwee on Monday morning, after fears a previously controlled fire could “flare up” again.

By Monday, the fires were believed to be controlled, however strong winds on Tuesday caused flare-ups, forcing further crews out to the firegrounds.

Incident Commander Dave Key said firefighters worked through the day, successfully preventing them from crossing containment lines.

The West Melton fire burned across 130ha.

As cooler temperatures and reduced wind on Wednesday provided a much-needed reprieve for firefighters, resources were released.

However, by Thursday, a string of fires sparked up near Burnham.

Upset property owners at the scene of destructive scrub fires in Burnham, Canterbury. Photo / George Heard

Fire and Emergency services received multiple calls to State Highway 1, near Burnham, at 1.30pm.

Eventually becoming one larger fire ground, the Burnham blaze spurred further evacuations and destroyed one building.

Livestock trapped in the fire near Burnham, December 12. Photo / George Heard

Firefighters continued to battle the blaze Friday, with further crews called out in the afternoon.

Incident Commander Dave Berry said rural crews are systematically digging out deep-seated hotspots, where the roots of gorse plants and other vegetation were burning underground and could reignite surface fires.

A firefighter returning to the Dunsandel station after battling the Burnham blaze. Photo / George Heard

Career firefighters were also at the scene Friday, extinguishing hotspots within farm sheds and associated structures.

Dave Berry said Fire and Emergency will have firefighters on the fireground overnight and fresh crews back on Saturday.

They continue to monitor the site of a second roadside fire on the same stretch of road, a few km south near Dunsandel.

Fire crews getting ready to head home after returning from the Burnham fireground. Photo / Supplied

Calls for caution

Following 10 days of relentless firefighting, Fire and Emergency NZ is reminding Canterbury residents to take extra precautions, including being mindful when grinding, welding or anything else that could generate a spark.

In a post online, the Rolleston Fire Brigade urged residents not to use fireworks, after fireworks were reported in the area overnight Thursday.

Firefighters at the Dunsandel station following a day's work. Photo / George Heard

“Your 30 seconds of whiz, bang pop excitement results in hours, days, sometimes weeks of work for not just our firefighters but all people who have to be involved.”

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based multimedia journalist and breaking news reporter.

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