Updated

Canterbury, Burnham, scrub fires close SH1, evacuations ordered, building destroyed

Multimedia Journalist, Christchurch·NZ Herald·

12 Dec, 2024 03:11 AM2 mins to read

Firefighters battling the Burnham blaze along SH1, December 12. Photo / George Heard

A series of scrub fires near Christchurch has destroyed one structure while spurring a large-scale firefighting response and evacuations.
There are 22 trucks, tankers and support vehicles on the ground, with five helicopters in the air.
State Highway 1 is closed south of Burnham; residents are advised to avoid the area.

A series of scrub fires have sparked evacuations outside Christchurch this afternoon, with one structure already destroyed.

Fire and Emergency services received multiple calls to a string of fires along State Highway 1 near Burnham at 1.30pm.

In a 3.40 pm update, Fire an Emergency New Zealand said three houses had been evacuated due to the blaze.

The fire area is currently estimated to be around 30 hectares in size.

One structure - a shed - has been destroyed by the fire.

The fire is not contained or controlled.

The fires are near State Highway 1 outside Christchurch. Photo / George Heard

“There are also two other blazes along that road,” said a Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson.

The fires are burning adjacent to railway tracks in the area.

Police are assisting Fire and Emergency at the scene.

A large-scale response is under way. Photo / George Heard

“People should avoid the area and follow the instructions of Fire and Emergency crews if people are already in the area,” Fire and Emergency says.

“A section of SH1 is closed south of Burnham.”

Firefighters are battling yet more Canterbury blazes. Photo / George Heard

It comes after several large scrub fires have hit the tinder-dry region in recent days.

Fire and Emergency services have been working to contain a large fire in Bridge Hill, near Castle Hill, since last Thursday. The blaze spread to 1000ha and resulted in multiple evacuations.

Fire and Emergency services received multiple calls to a string of fires along State Highway 1 near Burnham at 1.30pm. Photo / George Heard

Crews were working on another blaze in Kirwee, which started on Saturday.

Meanwhile, another fire started in West Melton on Sunday and spread to more than 130ha.

Helicopters have joined the firefight. Photo / George Heard

Fire and Emergency posted in an update this morning that they had 13 firefighters working between the West Melton and Kirwee firegrounds, dealing with the hotspots that were identified by the drone crew last night.

“A crew is also patrolling at Bridge Hill today and there will be a meeting with landowners to discuss arrangements for handing back the fire ground to them.”