A large blaze in north Canterbury has been contained, and evacuated residents have returned home.
Flames took hold of around 15 hectares at Motunau on Friday night, with 18 crews and four helicopters used. Plumes of smoke were reportedly visible from as far away as Woodend, 70km away.
Fire and Emergency says ground teams remained at the scene overnight, dampening down hot spots.
The temperature in the region was 29C.
