Two previously contained wildfires in the Canterbury region have re-ignited

and fire crews have returned to the scenes. FENZ had reports of flare-ups in two different areas of the fire in Bridge Hill, which had grown to about 980ha over the weekend. 

They had one fire crew already on site dealing with a few hotspots and they called for an extra four fire appliances to assist with these two flare-ups..

The wildfire near Canterbury's Castle Hill had spread to 980ha on December 6. Photo /
Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Two helicopters have been dispatched to assist. Fire and Emergency said in a post online the smoke was visible from State Highway 73.

If you are driving past, please keep your eyes firmly on the road and not what is happening on the fire ground, they don’t need a crash to attend as well. 

Fire and Emergency are also responding to a flare-up of the fire previously contained at Kirwee. There are several trucks attending the fire, and two helicopters will assist.

They’re urging people to avoid the area where possible.

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