The Fire Service blames extreme dry conditions and fireworks for a number of scrub fires in the South Island overnight.
There were numerous call outs in Southland, Otago and Canterbury.
The Southern Fire Communications centre said a mix of dry spells with bonfires and fireworks, particularly in central Otago, helped to fan the flames.
Twelve appliances fought a large scrub fire in Alexandra - where a member of the public received facial burns.
It was still being dampened down at 5.30am.
The Fire Service in Oamaru has been working since midnight to extinguish a fire in trees at the mouth of the Waitaki River.
And five appliances attended a large scrub fire near Temuka in South Canterbury.
There was also a large scrub fire at Mt Iron at Wanaka.
The Fire Service was called to two house fires in Christchurch and one in Invercargill - where one person was treated for smoke inhalation.
