Authorities are investigating a large suspicious scrub fire in Canterbury yesterday.
Fire crews were called to the 4000m blaze at the Kaitorete Spit about 5pm, southern fire communications shift manager Riwai Grace said.
"There were four appliances, two rural appliances and two tankers [at the scene]."
It took about two and a half hours to bring the fire under control, Mr Grace said.
There had been a few suspicious fires in the area lately, he said.