Scrub fires in Mackenzie District near Pukaki, road now open

Emergency services are working at the scene of multiple vegetation fires along State Highway 8 near Pukaki, Mackenzie District. Image / Google

Emergency services rushed to several grass fires along State Highway 8 in the Mackenzie District, Canterbury, which were brought under control by the swift work of helicopters.

A truck passing through the area had caught fire, spreading the flames near Lake Pukaki before becoming engulfed itself.

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesman Andrew Norris said the fires had taken off between Twizel and Tekapo.

"We believe there were probably in excess of 10 fires ... ranging in size from 200sq m to sort of 900sq m in size.

"But they were quickly dealt with once the helicopters got there."

Multiple crews were called from Tekapo and Twizel, and one from Omarama was stood down, he said.

The NZ Transport Agency says SH8 between Twizel and Tekapo is now open to one-way traffic under stop/go management.

The road was closed earlier this afternoon.