Scrub fire breaks out near Christchurch Airport

Firefighters in Christchurch have been called to a vegetation blaze near the airport.

Crews from the Christchurch Airport and Ilam stations have been battling the fire off SH1 near Memorial Ave since about 2.15pm on Tuesday.

Smoke could be seen coming from an area under the Memorial Avenue Gateway Bridge.

The fire is causing major traffic delays and the soutbound lane has been closed near the Memorial Ave offramp.

The northbound lanes on SH1 remain open at this time, but authorities are urging caution when travelling through the area.

Meanwhile, fire crews are also fighting a fast-moving vegetation fire in Hapuku, near Kaikoura.

Fenz received a report a hedge was on fire on Bay Paddock Rd at 1.36pm.

The fire spread and threatened nearby homes, prompting evacuations. 

At least 12 fire trucks from Kaikōura, Waiau, Conway Flat, Flaxbourne, Seddon, Awatere and Blenheim have been deployed to the scene.

The blaze was contained this afternoon, but crews were monitoring flare-ups to protect property.

It comes as Fire and Emergency New Zealand urges people to delay any outdoor fires they have planned from this week through until the end of Labour Day.

MetService issued strong wind warnings for much of the country on Tuesday, with further warnings expected on Thursday and strong winds likely to continue through to Monday.

Fenz deputy national commander Megan Stiffler says the wind presents a heightened fire risk right through to the end of the long weekend.

"These conditions will keep fire danger elevated across many parts of New Zealand through the Labour Day long weekend.

"While vegetation may appear green, this can be deceptive - dead fuels, such as grass and leaves, remain present and can ignite easily.

"A fire in these conditions would spread very quickly and be difficult for our crews to be able to control. These crews may already be stretched responding to weather-related callouts.

"The high winds may also make it difficult for air operations to take place, further hampering our ability to control any fires that break out."

Stiffler says 98% of wildfires in New Zealand are started by people.

"What we need the public to do is delay lighting any new fires, particularly over the next few days.

"Even though there will be more benign conditions on Wednesday, any fires lit then would have a high chance of reigniting when the wind picks up again on Thursday.

"People need to check their previous outdoor fires to prevent reignition, and to keep checking them over the coming days.

"They should dig right down into the site or rake it to open it up and then put some water on it to make sure it is absolutely out."

Areas of most concern include Hawke’s Bay, Wairarapa, Marlborough, Canterbury and Southland.

"While some rain is forecast, it is unlikely to fall in the regions that need it most," Megan Stiffler says.

"Although the greatest concern is in specific regions, fires could still occur elsewhere. We urge everyone across New Zealand to remain vigilant by not starting any new fires and checking their previous burns are completely out."