Canterbury wildfires: Evacuations in Broomfield, residents of Springfield on notice

Firefighters have contained all the wildfires that were burning in Canterbury today and all residents have been allowed home.

Crews at Broomfield, near Amberley, have been “mopping up” and three crews would remain to monitor the blaze overnight, Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) said.

Fenz said residents evacuated in Broomfield could return home.

In Waipara, where there was another fire, contractors have been felling trees around the scene. This work was expected to be done by 9pm and a Fenz crew would monitor this overnight.

A crew would also monitor the fire in Springfield.

Another fire in Tekapo, in the McKenzie Country, had been extinguished. Crews would inspect the scene tomorrow morning, Fenz said.

Mid-South Canterbury district manager Rob Hands said the strong winds seen earlier had lessened and the forecast for tomorrow was “favourable”.

People were earlier evacuated due to a wildfire in Canterbury as firefighters battled at least five other fires in the eastern South Island.

The fires were difficult to control due to strong winds, Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) said.

Residents in Broomfield, north of Christchurch, were evacuated from Racecourse Rd east of Mt Brown Rd.

The Hurunui District Council said there was a welfare centre at the Tin Shed/Pavilion at Amberley Domain on Douglas Rd.

The fire in Broomfield engulfed an old woolshed, several other sheds and a hedge, Fenz said. A helicopter was helping to battle the blaze, dousing flames with a monsoon bucket.

Springfield residents, west of Christchurch, were also on notice, with people on Rubicon Rd south of Midland Rd told to prepare to evacuate. Police would tell people whether they needed to leave.

A helicopter with a monsoon bucket fights a fire in Broomfield, Canterbury, on June 1, 2024. Photo / Fire and Emergency New Zealand

A helicopter with a monsoon bucket fights a fire in Broomfield, Canterbury, on June 1, 2024. Photo / Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Firefighters battling a fire in the McKenzie Country, Canterbury today. Photo / Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fenz asked people to stay away from the fires “to allow us to work safely to bring these fires under control”.

As well as these two areas, there were also fires in Waipara, Selwyn, the McKenzie Country and Shannon, west of Dunedin.

MetService had forecast northwesterly winds for Canterbury today.

Fenz is urging people across the South Island not to start any fires outdoors today due to the wind.

Meanwhile, in the North Island, two fires ripped through buildings in Auckland this morning.

Residents in Favona, South Auckland, were told to keep their doors and windows shut as thick smoke billowed from a blaze at a car wrecker’s yard.

Police said the fire broke out in an industrial building just after 10.30am.

Several surrounding roads are closed, with traffic diversions in place.