Rural fire at foot of Mt Hutt threatening forestry block on Rakaia River bank

The fire is near the red pin, which marks Rakaia River Rd, above the river's south bank, about 10km north of Methven in Canterbury. Map / Google

Firefighters are battling a large rural fire on the bank of the Rakaia River at the foot of Mt Hutt.

The fire is in the vicinity of Rakaia River Rd on a terrace above river's south bank, about 10km north of Methven on the Canterbury Plains.

The blaze measures about 300m by 250m.

"We are trying to stop it getting down to the river bank; there's forestry down there," a Fire and Emergency service spokesman said.

Ten firefighting crews are working on the vegetation fire, which is being fanned by a strong wind.

The spokesman said there are buildings nearby but they are not threatened by the fire.

"Water is an issue, because of the location. We have six tankers in attendance."

The cause of the fire is not known.

A witness told the Herald, "Looks like it's in an area recently logged. Very, very windy, so not helpful."