Wildfires in Canterbury brought mostly under control

Wildfires in Canterbury have been brought mostly under control this evening.

A series of fires broke out in Canterbury and Marlborough on Saturday, amid high winds and high temperatures.

Easing winds and rains helped firefighters tame the fires, but winds remained strong enough to pose an ongoing risk.

Fire crews will stay overnight to monitor the area.

Up to 20 crews were sent out to a large hedge fire in Ward, Marlborough, which covered about a hectare of land.

Assistant district commander Brian Keown advised people to check fires from the previous week were completely out.

He said Canterbury remained extremely dry.

FENZ has compiled the below list of fires attended:

Eyrewell in the Selwyn District, alerted at 8.35am. At its peak, 13 crews were in attendance, with support by a helicopter. The fire was extinguished by 4pm.

Vegetation fire at Gebbies Valley near Christchurch, which was reported as a hedge fire just before 12.30pm. Sixteen crews responded at peak but he fire was out by around 5pm.

Forestry fire at Hawarden in the Hurunui District, reported just before 2.20pm. Eighteen crews of firefighters supported by a helicopter were involved at the peak of the response. Heavy rain has fallen and a skeleton crew is remaining overnight.

An escaped burn-off at Mt Culverden, reported just before 2.40pm. All fires were out by around 6.30pm.

A hedge fire at Emu Plain in the Hurunui District, reported just after 3pm. Six crews were dispatched and the fire was out around 5.45pm.

A tree fire on the Inland Kaikoura Road, Hurunui District, reported about 4.10pm. Two crews attended and the fire was out by around 8pm.

A fire which escaped from a burn pile at Kaipara, Hurunui District, reported just after 4.20pm. Seven crews attended, with the fire out around 7pm.