West Melton fire: Crews race to dampen hotspots as wind returns

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

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

A Fire and Emergency (FENZ) spokesperson said people who were evacuated have since been able to return home.

This morning, FENZ assistant district commander Steve Kennedy confirmed the fire started in the Waimakariri riverbed.

"[It] spread pretty quickly with the wind behind it last night," he said. "By the time we contained the fire, it had burnt through around about 134 hectares.

"I believe around about 30 residents were evacuated, we kept them out for quite a few hours until we were sure that we had the fire under control."

Heavy machinery helped crews cut firebreaks around the blaze overnight, Kennedy added.

"A lot of work to do ahead of us yet, we've got a lot of mop-up work to do, so what that means is going around and making sure that the fire is extinguished – because it can look like it's out, smoulder away, and once the wind gets behind it, it flares up again and races away," he said.

"It's a great opportunity to remind people, just be really careful."

'All residents can return home'

At West Melton, a caravan park in The Willows area was evacuated overnight, along with nearby properties.

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."

'Very distressing'

West Melton resident Victoria Brens was evacuated last night. She heard a siren, went out of her house and saw smoke "pretty close".

She didn't have time to hook up a float for her horse before police said, "leave right now".

Victoria Brens and her horse. (Source: 1News)

"So he was here overnight. Thankfully, it didn't come any closer," she said. "He was left in the paddock. That was very distressing.

"I was a bit of a mess as you can imagine — he's quite special to me. Lots of tears.

"It all happened very fast, there was not a lot of time to get bags packed or anything much like that.

"I am very relieved, and he's perfectly fine, he doesn't have any injuries from running around or getting into fences or anything like that."

Brens said the firefighters did "an amazing job".

Conditions fueling the fire risk

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

"North to northwest winds may approach severe gale in exposed places."

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".

Four helicopters and firefighters on the ground were "strengthening the perimeter of the fire" this morning ahead of strong winds expected later today.

FENZ earlier said the helicopters would begin operating with monsoon buckets at first light.

At about 10am, FENZ assistant commander Dave Key declared the fire contained.

The scene of the fire near West Melton overnight. (Source: FENZ)

It covered about 134ha in a 6.3km perimeter, he said: "The area includes scrub, standing pine trees and pasture.

"A fire investigation is underway to establish the origin and cause of the fire.

"There has been no damage to homes. One farm shed has reportedly had some damage, and fences have been burnt."

Up to 14 crews with trucks, tankers and heavy machinery worked overnight tackling the blaze at its peak.

Flare-up concerns

Key said: "There is a lot of unburnt vegetation within the perimeter, and crews are working on hotspots this morning to minimise further flareups as the wind increases."

Firefighters were expected to be on the scene for "a couple of days", he added.

People were earlier advised to avoid the area and nearby residents were warned 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 cleared, look out for more at-risk residents such as children and older people, and keep pets inside with clean water and food.

Old West Coast Road was reopened at 10am with speed restrictions, "as there are many crews and Fire and Emergency vehicles operating in the area".

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.

Advice for Cantabrians

"Canterbury is in a period of very high fire risk, and will be moving to a restricted season this week," a FENZ spokesperson said.

A firefighter at the scene of the West Melton fire. (Source: 1News)

"People should refrain from lighting any outdoor fires, including land management burns and campfires.

"Because of the windy conditions, hot temperatures and low humidity, any fires will be challenging for firefighters to bring under control."