Nine helicopters and 45 firefighters are fighting a scrub fire in Canterbury that has closed a section of SH7.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said it received multiple calls just after 2.30pm for the fire that has taken blaze on SH7 in the Island Hills.
When it arrived the fire was 300m to 300m in size and firefighters are now working to extinguish it.
FENZ said the fire is “currently not contained” at this stage.
“We have evacuated nearby properties as a precaution.”
New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said in a Facebook post that the road is now closed near Hope River Bridge with no detour available.
FENZ said 25 vehicles from Hanmer Springs, Culverden and Springs junction were all called to assist.
