Fire crews work to contain West Melton blaze ahead of strong winds ...

Firefighters, supported by four helicopters, have been working to strengthen the perimeter of a large fire at West Melton as strong nor-west winds are expected later this morning.

Fire and Emergency Assistant Commander Dave Key said the fire, which broke out last night, is contained and spans about 134 hectares within a 6.3km perimeter. The affected area includes scrub, standing pine trees, and pasture.

A fire investigation is underway to determine the origin and cause of the blaze. While no homes have been damaged, one farm shed sustained some damage, and fences in the area have been burnt.

Old West Coast Road is set to reopen at 10am, but speed restrictions will remain in place due to the number of Fire and Emergency crews and vehicles still in the area. Key said crews are focused on hotspots this morning to minimise flare-ups, as unburnt vegetation within the perimeter poses a risk with the rising wind. Firefighters are expected to remain on-site for several days.

Canterbury is currently experiencing very high fire risk and will move to a restricted fire season this week. Residents are urged to avoid lighting outdoor fires, including land management burns and campfires. The combination of strong winds, high temperatures, and low humidity creates challenging conditions for firefighters to control any new outbreaks.