Firefighters batting blaze in scrub north of Christchurch

There is a large fire on the banks of the Waimakariri River.

Firefighters in Kaiapoi, north of Christchurch, are attending a large blaze near the Waimakariri River this afternoon.

It is understood the fire is in a grassy area and weather conditions in the area - with strong northwesterly winds and high temperatures - is making it difficult to extinguish.