• A series of scrub fires near Christchurch has prompted a large-scale and destroyed one structure.
• Four helicopters and eight fire trucks are responding, with more resources on the way.
• State Highway One is closed south of Burnham; residents are advised to avoid the area.

A series of scrub fires have sparked a large-scale emergency services response outside Christchurch this afternoon, with properties being evacuated and one structure already feared lost.

Fire and Emergency services received multiple calls to a string of fires along State Highway One near Burnham at 1.30pm.

Five helicopters have been scrambled along with 16 fire trucks as well as tankers and support vehicles.

“There are also two other blazes along that road,” said a Fire and Emergency spokesperson.

The fires are near State Highway One outside Christchurch. Photo / George Heard

Evacuations of some nearby properties are underway while one structure is already understood to have been lost.

The fires are running adjacent to the train tracks in the area.

Police are assisting Fire and Emergency at the scene.

There is a large-scale response underway. Photo / George Heard

“People should avoid the area and follow the instructions of Fire and Emergency crews if people are already in the area,” Fire and Emergency says.

“A section of SH1 is closed south of Burnham.”

Firefighters are battling yet another Canterbury fire. Photo / George Heard

It comes after several large scrub fires have hit the tinder-dry region in recent days.

Fire and Emergency services have been working to contain a large fire in Bridge Hill, near Castle Hill, since last Thursday. The blaze spread to 1000ha and resulted in multiple evacuations.

Photo / George Heard

Crews were working on another blaze in Kirwee, which started on Saturday.

Meanwhile, another fire started in West Melton on Sunday and spread to more than 130 ha.

Helicopters have joined the fight. Photo / George Heard

Fire and Emergency posted in an update this morning that they had 13 firefighters working between the West Melton and Kirwee firegrounds, dealing with the hotspots that were identified by the drone crew last night.

“A crew is also patrolling at Bridge Hill today and there will be a meeting with landowners to discuss arrangements for handing back the fireground to them.”

More to come.