A large forestry fire west of Christchurch that forced evacuations overnight has been contained with no loss of buildings or livestock, Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) has confirmed.
The fire is near the Waimakariri River in Kirwee and had been burning since 10pm on Sunday and spread quickly due to strong winds.
The blaze was contained to 80 hectares of pine plantation, scrub and some farmland beside the Waimakariri River as of 9am but crews would need several days to completely stamp the fire out, according to FENZ Incident Controller Graeme Knight.
Seven helicopters and eight crews of firefighters have been fighting on the fire, supported by heavy machinery.
FENZ Incident Controller Dave Berry said an aerial inspection on Monday morning confirmed there had been no buildings damaged or livestock caught up in the fire.
An estimated 10 properties on Old West Coast Road were evacuated overnight as a precaution, while several other households self-evacuated.
An update will be provided by FENZ to evacuated residents at a community meeting at the Kirwee Community Hall at 11am.
Earlier, Knight said many people in and around Christchurch will be waking up to a lot of smoke this morning, and it's obvious in Christchurch city and around the fire.
