Firefighters will continue to monitor a blaze at a north Canterbury forestry block overnight which is expected to increase in size with strong winds forecast for the region.
The forestry fire north of Waipara first reported on Thursday was initially contained by Saturday, but gusty winds caused multiple “break-out” fires on Sunday afternoon.
Fire and Emergency NZ incident commander Des Irving said crews, supported by heavy machinery and five helicopters, would be working to reestablish containment lines as strong winds proved challenging for firefighting.
“We are expecting strong winds this afternoon which could prove difficult conditions for firefighting, and we could see extreme fire behaviour at times.”
Fire and Emergency NZ Incident Commander Brian Keown said increasingly high winds were expected overnight and early tomorrow morning, which would likely see the fire size increase overnight.
“Crews will closely monitor the fire ground overnight. Multiple crews, helicopters and heavy machinery will be on site ready to continue containment efforts from the morning,” he said.
Earlier today, Keown said approximately 84 hectares of mostly large, mature pine trees on a harvesting site had been burnt.
“We’re expecting high winds this afternoon, up to 120km/h. And overnight it will sustain probably to about 50 – 60km/h.
“Tomorrow will be the same again — until we get a potential southerly change mid to late afternoon — which might bring a little bit of rain.”
He said the fire was currently contained but crews and heavy machinery would continue to “work hard” to keep it that way.
“At the moment, it’s contained but I can’t guarantee we can keep it contained if those winds get amongst it. So we’re working hard right now to get enhanced containment lines.”
Keown said there was an evacuation plan for “two to three properties in the vicinity” that were quite far away from the fire.
“With wind-driven fires they can move quite quickly, so we’re prepared and we have help from our partner agencies like police ready to act if we require them.”
He said it was “not unusual” to have a fire of this scale at this time of year, but the wind-driven nature of the fire “changes everything”.
“We’ve got high winds coming throughout Canterbury. If anyone has had a fire out in the open, ensure that it’s out or well smothered because the potential for this to occur somewhere else is high at the moment.”
Fire crews and heavy machinery are attempting to keep the fire north of Waipara contained despite the high winds forecast. (Source: 1News)
Fire and Emergency NZ incident commander Des Irving said Cantabrians were being asked not light any fires and to check old burn piles were fully extinguished.
He also thanked the Hurunui community for its help and support.
“A special shout out to the Waipara Civil Defence Emergency Response team who cooked breakfast this morning for our firefighters who have been working hard to get the fire contained and under control.”
Crews are expected to remain at the fire ground for the rest of the week.
