Helicopters are assisting firefighters in battling uncontained blazes in the far North Island and the lower South Island this afternoon – whipped up by high winds.
Fire and Emergency NZ (FENZ) says it has activated the Region Coordination Centre in Dunedin in response to the several large fires in Southland and Otago on Thursday.
Three helicopters and six fire trucks are attending a blaze in pine trees near Goodwood, Palmerston, reported at 2.35pm.
A FENZ spokesperson said it was initially reported as a shed fire but had since spread to trees.
A forestry block fire near Mataura in Southland prompted a major response, with nine fire trucks and two helicopters deployed.
The fire, reported at 2.10pm, has forced the closure of State Highway 96 between SH1 and Waimumu, southwest of Gore, NZTA said.
At the other end of the country, in Northland, five firetrucks and three helicopters are battling a vegetation fire burning in Herekino, south of Kaitaia.
The blaze, reported at 3.45pm, measures 300m x 200m and was burning uphill, FENZ said.
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A large paddock fire near Balclutha in Otago was contained by 4pm.
However, 30 firefighters and two helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets were still operating on Johnston Rd, where the blaze broke out earlier today.
Residents were urged to stay well away from Johnston Rd to allow emergency services to work safely.
“Smoke is blowing away from Balclutha, but if you are in the area and affected by smoke, please keep your doors and windows shut and stay inside to avoid exposure.”
Authorities warned that high winds have caused all the fires to spread quickly and urge the public to take precautions.
“People must not light any outdoor fires this afternoon and must check any previous fires or burns from the last few weeks to ensure they are not in danger of reignition,” Fire and Emergency NZ said.
“Don’t leave them to smoulder or assume that a fire is completely out just because you can’t see any flames or smoke. The whole area should be thoroughly wetted until it is completely cold, and checked again afterwards.”
Meanwhile, there had been two further incidents where a trampoline had been blown onto powerlines in Waitaki and tree branches onto two cars in Oamaru.
