West Melton, Canterbury fire contained, crews brace for strong winds

Key revealed they know the general area of where the fire started, but it won’t be until fire investigators get in there over the next few days that they’ll be able to establish a cause.

He said along with heavy machinery and helicopters, they will have 50 firefighters on the ground this afternoon working to prevent severe winds from re-igniting the blaze.

Key told the Herald they’re grateful for all fire crews, in particular the volunteers, who he said make up 80% of crews on the ground.

“We’re always thankful for the help and support the volunteer brigades around Canterbury give us when we need and they always turn up,” he said.

Approximately 50 homes and a caravan park were evacuated as the strong gusts threatened to blow the West Melton blaze into nearby homes and smoke filled the air.

As many as 100 homes are still without power as strong winds felled trees and powerlines, sent trampolines flying and fuelled the already major fire.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said just after 10am that crews had contained the fire within a 6.3km perimeter.

A fire investigation had begun and there was no damage to any homes. A farm shed has been damaged and some fences had been burnt.

Incident commander Dave Key said they would be working to dampen hotspots near unburnt vegetation before the wind picked up again. He said he expected crews to be on the scene “for a couple of days”.

In updates to social media this morning, Fire and Emergency NZ said people were able to return home at 4.30am.

It warned residents they “must be ready to leave again”.

“People are advised to continue to avoid the area this morning as there will be a large Fire and Emergency presence.”

The blaze was still uncontained at 3am, but no further evacuations were required.

Key said some firefighters had been pulled away to a fire 10km away in Kirwee.

Crews had previously gotten the fire under control after battling the fire on Saturday and Sunday, but it still had the potential to “get into the trees” and “potentially flare up”

Key said the volunteers have been working hard for two nights now.

Up to 14 crews were at the scene overnight with trucks, tankers and heavy machinery and were able to stop the fire from reaching any homes.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson advised residents nearby affected by the smoke to keep windows and doors shut, switch air conditioners to recirculate or keep them off, keep pets inside and look out for vulnerable people in the community.

“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.”

MetService forecaster David Miller said the wind would be weaker than yesterday but still “not ideal” for firefighting.

MetService recorded 161km/h gusts overnight at Banks Peninsula.

The front causing yesterday’s gusts moved on to the North Island overnight, but there were still strong northwesterly winds in the area.

He said conditions were also “fairly dry”.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said the fire was first reported about 9pm.

A photo from the scene showed a huge blaze glowing red over the skyline.

“Very eerie to see it grow in size so quickly,” one person commented on Facebook. “Wind is so strong.”

Lincoln Volunteer Fire Brigade said the wind was carrying the smoke towards them.

The local brigade said on social media early this morning that the wind also caused “14 minutes of craziness” in their community.

Between 11.19pm and 11.33pm crews were called to assist with a tree across the road, a loose trampoline in high winds, two fallen powerlines and a house fire.

Last night, MetService had a strong wind watch in place for parts of Canterbury including the Canterbury Plains and Banks Peninsula.

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