Canterbury caravan park evacuated as large vegetation fire breaks out

Homes and a caravan park have been evacuated near Canterbury’s West Melton as high winds fan a large vegetation fire.

Fire and Emergency NZ said the blaze was first reported about 9pm Sunday.

“At 10pm, 10 trucks are on the scene at the end of Thompsons Rd.

“The fire is approximately 1km x 1km, with high winds in the area.”

A caravan park, in The Willows area, had been evacuated, Fire and Emergency NZ said.

Evacuations were also underway in the area east of Thompsons Road to McKays Road.

Evacuees were being sent to the West Melton Community Centre.

“People should continue to avoid the area while our crews work,” Fire and Emergency NZ said.

Smoke could be smelled from up to 30km away.

The blaze comes just days after a huge fire broke out in the Bridge Hill area, leading to school camps and part of a village being evacuated.

That fire, which has since grown to about 1000 hectares, is expected to take a week to fully extinguish.

Canterbury firefighters dampen down hotspots following a blaze in Kirwee.
Photo: Supplied / Canterbury Fire and Emergency

A third Canterbury fire, at Kirwee, was brought under control on Sunday afternoon.

Firefighters had used heavy machinery to build a fire break and remained on site on Sunday night in case of any flare-ups.

“Firefighters will return tomorrow to continue working on the deep-seated hotspots.”

Meanwhile, crews in Auckland have put out a large vegetation fire in East Tamaki.

Fire and Emergency said crews were called to a fire near the roundabout on Highbrook Drive just after 9pm Sunday.

Three fire trucks and a water tanker battled the blaze, which had been put out by 10.20pm.

The crews have left the scene after dampening down remaining hot spots, a spokesperson said.

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