Firefighters to battle blaze through Christmas

helicopter dumps water on the bush fire outside Waimate today. Photo / Oamaru Mail

Firefighters are preparing to spend their Christmas Day battling a blaze in Canterbury that has so far burnt nearly 60 hectares of trees and pasture.

The fire near Leithfield Beach, 40km northeast of Christchurch, broke out in a forest on Wednesday afternoon, speading quickly to a neighbouring pine plantation.

Ashley Rural Fire District spokesman Darren Mann this afternoon said the blaze was about 80 per cent contained and the operation was to be scaled back tomorrow, with the number of crews working being reduced from nine to four.

A number of firefighters from Marlborough, Northland and Rotorua had been called in to help until December 27, to allow local crews to spend time with family.

"We know they would also like to be tucking into a turkey at home and we certainly appreciate that they are continuing to work through allowing our guys time with their families," Mr Mann said.

"They've been working tirelessly with us since Thursday. This kind of out of region assistance is greatly appreciated."

Mr Mann said that although forecast rain had not come through, the high humidity level in the area was a godsend.

"It's been about 50 per cent during the day and is expected to rise to 60 - 70 per cent overnight and that amount of moisture in the air certainly helps," he said.

"We would dearly love some rain. The forecast had indicated some today, and while it was only a few millimetres and not enough for what we need, some is better than none, but we haven't seen any yet."

Nearly 60 hecatares of land has been destroyed by the fire.

Meanwhile, fire crews were continuing to dampen down hotspots in a fire near Waimate.

Canterbury and West Coast regional rural fire spokesman Tony Teeling said the fire, which burnt about 175 hectares of gorse and native vegetation, was well under control this morning.

- NZPA