A large blaze which destroyed two homes near Christchurch has been contained and crews will work overnight to dampen hot spots, emergency services say.
Smoke seen near the fire in Rolleston. Photo: Ashburton TV
Crews have been battling the fire near Rolleston since 3pm and residents living on Knights Road had to be evacuated.
Seven fire trucks, nine water tankers and four helicopters were initially used to help fight the blaze.
One helicopter and multiple fire trucks were still at the scene, a Fire Service spokesman said.
Several out buildings and two houses had been destroyed. Another house had significant damage.
The helicopter would have to stop flying at dusk but crews would remain at the fire overnight, he said.
Christine Hill lives several properties down from where the fire started and said strong winds and dry conditions had fanned the flames.
"They had a paddock with hay bales and they caught fire, the fire spread across the paddock to the hay shed - there's a lot of pine trees on the property as well - they all have burnt...
"It's a scary situation, it's been a hot, dry summer - there is a lot of long grass around and with these strong winds the flames can spread pretty quickly."
Four helicopters were at the scene earlier today. Photo: Sebastian Beyrer
The #rollestonfire is now contained. Crews will work overnight dampening down hot spots ahead of high winds tomorrow. Investigators expected to be on site in the morning.
— Fire and EmergencyNZ (@FireEmergencyNZ) December 23, 2017
Meanwhile, Fire and Emergency said there was a second fire north of Christchurch, near Coutts Island in the Waimakariri River.
The fire had been contained by urban and rural crews but was "burning in piles of sawdust and logs".
Seven tankers and four fire engines were at the scene and a command unit was on its way from Timaru.
A spokesman said the fire had not reached the nearby forest
The fire would also be monitored throughout the night.
