Canterbury grass fires close part of State Highway 1

Four helicopters are battling multiple grass fires that have closed State Highway 1 south of Christchurch.

A Fire and Emergency NZ spokesperson said eight trucks, tankers and support vehicles are also fighting the fires which broke out near the railway lines south of Burnham about 1.30pm today.

The spokesperson said there was a large fire and two smaller blazes next to SH1 near the intersection with Selwyn Lake and Telegraph Rds.

Eyewitness Andrew King was driving to Christchurch when he saw the blazes.

He said the large fire appeared to have started near the railway lines south of Dunsandel.

Photo: Andrew King

“There are a number of fire appliances and one helicopter I can see fighting the fire,” King said.

“Traffic was backed up and down to a crawl south before the diversion west at Dunsandel.”

Photo: Stevie Farrant

The Fire and Emergency spokesperson said people should avoid the area if possible.

The New Zealand Transport Agency/Waka Kotahi advised that SH1 was closed at 2.30pm between Leeston Dunsandel and Burnham Rds.

“People should avoid the area and follow the instructions of Fire and Emergency crews if people are already in the area.”

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