Monsoon buckets called to 100ha vegetation fire near West Melton

Firefighters battled a large vegetation fire, fanned by strong winds, west of Christchurch overnight — with efforts to resume this morning.

Fire and Emergency NZ said the fire north of West Melton was reported around 9pm yesterday.

A Fire and Emergency (FENZ) spokesperson told 1News this morning that about 50 homes were evacuated overnight – however, those people have since been able to return home.

"Four helicopters will begin operation with monsoon buckets at first light — at which point, we will get a better and more accurate picture of the fire's size," FENZ said.

In an update at 5.50am, a spokesperson said: "Firefighters have worked through the night to keep the large vegetation fire north of West Melton from reaching any homes.

"Up to 14 crews with trucks, tankers and heavy machinery were able to keep the fire from reaching any houses.

"The fire is currently estimated to be approximately 100 hectares in size, although this estimate will be refined at first light."

People were advised to avoid the area and warned nearby residents to be aware of smoke.

A large vegetation fire burns near West Melton, Canterbury on Sunday night. (Source: Isy Arambasic)

Anyone impacted by smoke was urged to keep windows and doors shut, switch air conditioning to "recirculate" or turn it off, air out the house when the smoke clears, look out for more at-risk residents such as children and older people, and keep pets inside with clean water and food.

Other fires broke out across multiple South Island regions during the warm and windy weather.

A FENZ spokesperson told 1News there were 22 vegetation fires in South Canterbury and Otago between 7.30pm on Sunday and 5am Monday.

Eighteen were in Canterbury, the spokesperson said.

'All residents can now return home'

At West Melton, a caravan park in The Willows area had been evacuated, along with properties east of Thompsons Rd to McKays Rd.

"We will notify you if you need to evacuate, either via door knock or an Emergency Mobile Alert," FENZ said last night.

Evacuees were being sent to the West Melton Community Centre. The Southbridge Hotel also offered free accommodation to evacuees.

At about 4.30am, a post on the Canterbury Fire and Emergency Facebook page said: "All residents can now return home again but must be ready to leave again if required.

"We will have a significant presence in the area this morning so please continue to avoid the area."

Do you have photos/videos of the fire? Send them to [email protected]

Lincoln Volunteer Fire Brigade, based 16km southeast of the fire, told residents that smoke from the fire was being carried downwind and that they should keep doors and windows shut.

"Thinking of the crews out there right now fighting against the wind."

The fire is understood to have started in vegetation in the riverbed before spreading to nearby pine trees.

MetService issued a strong wind watch for the area until 2am this morning.

"North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places. Moderate chance of upgrading to a warning."

The blaze comes days after a large vegetation fire broke out in the Bridge Hill area, closing State Highway 73, leading to the evacuation of school camps and the destruction of an old Forestry Service hut.

The fire grew to nearly 1000 hectares in size but was now "largely controlled".

— additional reporting by Blair Norton