Thick haze over Rangiora as firefighters battle a blaze that started on Sunday on the banks of the Ashley River. Photo / Supplied
Thick haze over Rangiora as firefighters battle a blaze that started on Sunday on the banks of the Ashley River. Photo / Supplied
The fire service is warning people to stay away from several scrub fires burning fiercely in Rangiora this morning.
Multiple fire crews and at least two helicopters were battling two major scrub fires in Rangiora this morning, with Canterbury set for another scorcher today.
One fire started yesterday on the Ashley riverbank and burned overnight, while at 5.45am fire crews were alerted to another fire, this time on the eastern side of the Ashley Bridge.
"The fire has not yet been fully contained and has travelled in to a small plantation," Fire and Emergency NZ said in a statement. "This will cause visible flames and smoke as well as ember travel."
FENZ has repeatedly asked people not to come near the fires, but police had to be called this morning to keep sightseers away.
"The Nor'west winds can be very unpredictable and ember transfers can create new spot fires some 100-200m away," FENZ said.
"Please stay away from the area so all of our crews including the pilots can work safely."
The first fire started on the Ashley riverbank on Sunday afternoon, near Dunlops Rd in Loburn. Crews had been forced to pull back from the fire during the night due to dangerous conditions, but returned at first light today.
Last night at least nine fire trucks and two helicopters battling the blaze, which was covering 1ha of scrub and being fanned by strong warm winds.
Residents living in the path of the smoke were being told to keep their windows and doors shut.
At 10pm the fire was not under control, Fire and Emergency NZ said.
The fire then threatened a property on Toomebridge Rd, so crews had focused on structure protection.
FENZ confirmed this morning it was now battling two scrub fires in the area.
Locals have been told to avoid the area and to refrain from calling 111 unless they could see flames.
High winds are expected today along with temperatures over 30C. Photo / Supplied
Rangiora man Paul Bradshaw said he went outside at around 6.30am, the air was "reasonably thick with smoke", and ash was floating through the air.
He had called 111, to be told the fire was on the north side of the Ashley River.
Sharon Miller, from west Rangiora, said there was a haze over the town this morning and a strong smell of smoke. She feared the fire would get worse as the grass in the area was extremely dry and there were high winds, while by 7.20am the temperature had reached 26C.
MetService has forecast Rangiora to reach a high of 31C today, with similar windy conditions that saw vegetation fires across Canterbury on Saturday.
