Firefighters battle large scrub blaze

Firefighters have gained control of a large scrub fire north of Christchurch and will be dampening hot spots throughout the afternoon.

The blaze at Woodend, about 40km north of Christchurch, was sparked by gusty winds of between 80 and 90 knots that brought down power lines in the Fullers Rd, Sandhills Rd area parallel to State Highway 1.

Fire Service Transalpine district assistant fire commander Mark Chubb said rural fire crews were called out from surrounding North Canterbury districts after the alert about 10.45am.

About 20 firefighters battled the blaze over an area of about 1000m by 300m using four pumps and six tankers.

Fire Service crews called in from urban stations were being replaced with rural crews who would dampen hot spots during the afternoon, Mr Chubb said.

While the gusty winds caused concerns for nearby houses, no property was damaged and there were no injuries to firefighters or the public, he said.

"We'll probably be here for quite a while longer," Mr Chubb said.

"With the wind, continuing rising temperatures and dropping humidity, we want to make sure not only is it out but that it stays out."

- NZPA