The scrub fire at Bridge Hill, in the Canterbury High Country. Photo: Supplied/ FENZ
Fire investigators have discovered the cause of massive fire that raced across 1000 hectares of Canterbury high country over the past five days.
The Bridge Hill fire is now under control, with drone teams up overnight checking for hotspots.
Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse told Morning Report investigators have found the cause and are working with police.
But he said it was too soon to announce the findings or to say if the fire was deliberately lit, as the investigation was still wrapping up.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said they have have spoken with schools that were holding camps in the area.
Commander Stackhouse said crews would continue to mop up hotspots on Tuesday, and would meet with landowners on Thursday.
Meanwhile, wind caused flare-ups at the site of a large vegetation fire in West Melton overnight, but firefighters were able to prevent flames breaching containment lines.
The fire in West Melton. Photo: RNZ/ Nathan McKinnon
Incident Commander Dave Key said the flare-ups happened when wind fanned partially burned vegetation and trees into flame.
The fire, which began on Sunday night, has burned across more than 130 hectares.
Homes and a caravan park were briefly evacuated in the early hours of Sunday morning, but all were allowed home.
Crews were also at the nearby Kirwee fire, which has been burning since Saturday and is mostly contained.
There are 75 firefighters, two helicopters and heavy machinery operators extinguishing hotspots across the two fires.
Stackhouse said there were two fire investigators on site at West Melton on Tuesday working to find the cause of the blaze.
Appeal for information on West Melton and Kirwee fires
Fire and Emergency (FENZ) have not yet ruled out "suspicious activity" behind the cause of the West Melton and Kirwee fires.
Crews have been at the scene of both fires since the weekend, although both are now contained.
Speaking to media on Tuesday, Incident Commander Dave Key said fire investigators had been on the ground a day earlier.
"They've identified the area where it has started but not the actual cause as yet," he said.
When asked if both fires could have started under suspicious circumstances, Key said it was "always a consideration until you rule it out".
Key said if any member of the public had any information relating to Thompsons Road (West Melton) or Courtenay Road (Kirwee) fires, including photographs, to get in contact with FENZ or the police.
On Tuesday afternoon, it was announced that Canterbury and Mid-South Canterbury districts would be moving to a restricted fire season from Wednesday 11 December until further notice.
That means anyone who wants to light an outdoor fire will need a permit which can be applied for at www.checkitsalright.nz
In a statement, Canterbury District Commander Dave Stackhouse said the large fires in the last couple of weeks were a serious indication that outdoor fires needed to be controlled.
"We've just had large wildfires at Castle Hill, West Melton and Kirwee, as well as other smaller fires which quickly escalated, like the ones at Hurunui and Dunsandel," he said.
"Despite cooler and slightly wetter La Niña conditions forecast, the fire season has developed earlier and more aggressively this year, and we are seeing the risk elevate daily."
Key said with temperatures set to remain around the mid-20s across the Canterbury plains over the coming days, and no rain expected until the weekend, energy levels and resourcing remained a concern.
"In terms of resource, yes it's been a bit stretched at times," Key said.
"But we still have capacity and capability to attend any other fires that do eventuate."
Key said despite their collective commitment and high morale, crews were getting "a wee bit tired".
"It'll be good to have a break this week and into next week."
