Pines Beach scrub fire in Christchurch threatens homes

Five households evacuated at Pines Beach north of Christchurch have been allowed back after flames came within metres of their properties.

However, 150 firefighters, assisted by five helicopters were continuing on Monday evening to throw everything at the blaze. In an update after 8pm, Fire and Emergency said it was contained but not yet under control.

It took hold just after 3pm this afternoon.

Principal rural fire officer Bruce Janes said the next crunch point came tomorrow when temperatures of 36 degrees would make the chances of a flare up extremely high.

That was why such a huge effort was being thrown at the fire on Monday, he said.

"[We] absolutely smash any start. It almost looks like we over commit, but you've just got to because the next fire is only five minutes away."

Two crews will remain at the site overnight to continue fighting the fire, with a 25 tonne excavator to help. The helicopters would be back on the job from first light Tuesday morning, Janes said.

"Two helicopters and a fixed wing water bomber will be also be on standby for this fire if required or any other that might occur in this hot weather."

People are being asked to be extra vigilant about fire danger particularly over the next few days.

RNZ reporter Conan Young was at the scene near Pines Beach just before 6pm and told Checkpoint there were about five helicopters with monsoon buckets ferrying water from a nearby river over to the beach.

The fire was close to houses and, unlike what the locals were accustomed to, the wind was blowing northwest away from houses.

The area was stifling hot, nearing 30C with dry conditions, he said.

Meanwhile, another fire at Balmoral Hill on Christchurch's Port Hills - which also threatened homes - is now under control.

The fire on Balmoral Hill in McCormacks Bay was reported just after 1.30pm today.

A fire service spokesperson said it started in an area of scrub in a gully, but the fire front had now been brought under control.

Fire and Emergency said no evacuations were ordered, and crews are now dampening hotspots.

Residents in Christchurch's Port Hills thanked the fire service for quickly responding to the blaze, which came within a metre of homes.

Nearby resident, John Reynolds said when he first set eyes on it, the fire front was only about 20 metres across and nothing to worry about, but that all changed within the space of just 10 minutes.