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Fire crews in Canterbury are on high alert as they continue to fight a vegetation fire amid scorching temperatures that could set new records for parts of the region.
Emergency services are back at the scene of the fire, which ripped through 20 hectares of brush on Pines Beach north of Christchurch Monday afternoon and burned overnight.
Five houses had to be evacuated as helicopters with monsoon buckets and firefighters from across the city and North Canterbury battled to contain the blaze Monday night.
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Ground crews buffer hotspots at Pines Beach in North Canterbury.
New Zealand Fire and Emergency spokesman Brent Dunn said several ground crews had returned to the scene early Tuesday morning.
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The fire continues to burn, despite being contained in about 20ha. Crews will clean up hot spots, while air assets are on standby to fight the fire if it gets out of control.
Dunn said crews were on “high alert” as temperatures in the city are expected to rise to around 35 degrees Celsius, with the possibility of strong gusts from the northwest.
“Today is going to be very hot and with that kind of heat you don’t need much.”
Crews are also returning to the scene of another vegetation fire at Redcliffs in Port Hills on Monday, where flames rushed down a ravine to threaten homes.
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
The fire came dangerously close to homes on Pines Beach in North Canterbury.
Six crews and two helicopters boarded the fire, which spread over about 500 square meters of vegetation. It was contained at 4 p.m., several firefighters remained at the scene overnight to deal with critical points.
Temperatures are expected to skyrocket in many parts of New Zealand this week, with several centers on the east coast expected to hit 30 degrees.
John Kirk-Anderson / Stuff
Helicopters help fight the fire burning in Pines Beach, north of Christchurch, Monday afternoon.
Christchurch is expected to be a particular hotspot in the south, with highs of 35 ° C on Tuesday and 32 ° C on Wednesday.
MetService Meteorologist Tahlia Crabtree previously said Stuff Christchurch’s January highest temperature of 35.9 ° C could be under threat.
The expected sweltering weather prompted a warning from transportation authorities in Christchurch, and motorists were urged not to throw cigarette butts from vehicles because of the risk of starting fires.
Jon Hicks / Supplied
Several homes were evacuated when a fire in Redcliffs burned vegetation Monday.
People doing construction and maintenance work should make sure surrounding areas are wetted, and residents are urged to be careful around lawn mowers and brush cutters, which could start a fire.
Canterbury is in a restricted fire season, which means a permit is required for all outdoor fires. Fireworks have also been banned until further notice in Akaroa, the Christchurch coast, and Port Hills.
