Crews in the South Island have been fighting multiple fires that have threatened buildings and delayed traffic.
Photo: RNZ / Tracy Neal
Fire and Emergency said 10 crews and two helicopters fought to protect property as a scrub fire spread in the Gibbston Valley near Queenstown this afternoon.
In Canterbury, a scrub fire reduced State Highway 1 to one lane near Chertsey.
Both fires were contained by 5pm.
Fire conditions are expected to worsen with fire bans in place in many South Island areas.
In Central Otago and the Queenstown Lakes Fire district, all activities that cause sparks are also banned.