Highway reopens in Canterbury after large blaze

The hearth has burnt by way of 5ha of land on each side of the freeway close to Waipara, shut sufficient for some energy poles to catch alight.

A lady who drove by way of a bit of the freeway on the time of the hearth mentioned she thought she might have died.

Constance Kipa mentioned she was doubtless one of many final to drive by way of earlier than the street was blocked off.

“As quickly as we form of got here into it, the automotive acquired actually, actually scorching and I wasn’t anticipating that, after which the smoke got here throughout the entrance and also you could not see.”

A Hearth and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) spokesperson mentioned the hearth was nonetheless contained to that measurement and was below management.

The smoke had calmed down and never numerous hotspots remained seen, he mentioned.

Mainpower mentioned 12 properties had been with out electrical energy as a result of Fanz had requested for it to be turned off for the protection of crews.

Residents who voluntarily left their houses on Darnley Rd have been allowed to return.

That is the second massive scrub fireplace in Canterbury up to now week, simply days after a blaze at Kirwee.

Fenz assistant commander David Berry advised Morning Report situations had been worse than that they had been up to now few years.

A few small burn fires folks had lit just lately had reignited within the wind, he mentioned.

“We have additionally seen a quad bike had an exhaust malfunction and that is induced a hearth in a paddock.”

Individuals wanted to be a bit extra wise and take care, Berry mentioned.

This included not parking on grass with a scorching exhaust.