Residents of an alpine village in Canterbury are being urged to evacuate their homes tonight amid fears a huge blaze that has tripled in size could reach their township overnight.

”It is a lot easier for people to leave now rather than trying to complete an emergency evacuation in the middle of the night, so we are encouraging people to stay with friends and family or return home if this is their holiday home,” Incident Commander Brian Keown said.

“In the unlikely event that the fire does reach the village, an evacuation order will be made via Emergency Mobile Alert and door knocking, and we will then do everything in our power to protect the properties if it is safe to do so.”

A huge out of control fire in the Southern Alps has tripled in size this afternoon as emergency services battle the flames and hostile elements.

Firefighters across Canterbury and Otago are working to contain a “rash” of different fires, citing “extreme fire behaviour”.

Otago firefighters from multiple brigades are responding to vegetation fires in Central and coastal Otago this afternoon.

Fire and Emergency NZ has activated its Region Coordination Centre in Dunedin.

Otago District Commander Phil Marsh says strong winds, warm temperatures and low humidity are making some of the blazes challenging to contain.

This morning crews were called to a fire on Scotland St, State Highway 8 on the outskirts of Roxburgh, followed soon after by a second fire a few kilometres away on Wright Rd.

It took firefighters from the Roxburgh, Dunstan, Millers Flat Alexandra and Tapanui brigades, supported by two helicopters, to bring them both under control.

As at 3.30pm, firefighters were still dealing with hotspots.

At the same time, firefighters from Balclutha, Brighton, Lookout Point, Port Chalmers, Waihola and Wakari are working to contain a fire in forestry slash on Taieri Mouth Rd at Kuri Bush, south of Dunedin.

The fire was reported at 1.40pm.

Shortly afterwards a scrub fire between Lawrence and Waitahuna was reported.

Firefighters from Lawrence, Waitahuna, Balclutha and Milton responded and had brought the fire under control by 3pm.

However, just after 3pm, Balclutha firefighters were called to a report of a slash fire spreading into trees on View St. As at 3.20pm, they were still working to bring that fire under control, taking water directly from the Clutha River.

Meanwhile, in the Southern Alps area, a scrub fire near Bridge Hill is being fanned by high winds. The blaze now covers about 450ha. It remains out of control and uncontained.

SH73 near Craigieburn is closed and will be for some time, Fire and Emergency NZ said.

Fire and Emergency services on the scene of the Bridge Hill wildfire. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ

“People should avoid the area and look to make alternative travel arrangements if they were planning to use this road today.”

Emergency services were called at 4.24 am.

Police are also on the scene.

“Diversions are in place on State Highway 73 at Castle Hill Village, Arthurs Pass, and Springfield near Annavale Rd,” they said in a statement.

Motorists are advised to avoid the area.

“Nine helicopters, three fixed-wing aircraft and 12 trucks, tankers and support vehicles continue to work to contain the fire, which is being fanned by strong winds,” Fire and Emergency NZ said.

The fire on Bridge Hill, in the Southern Alps, now covers 140ha. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ

Incident commander Brian Keown said residents of Castle Hill Village have been warned to prepare to evacuate as a precaution.

Flock Hill Lodge has now been evacuated. This had been used as an evacuation point for one of the schools previously evacuated but has in turn been evacuated as a precaution.

Keown said no other evacuations have taken place.

“We’re in contact with other schools who have camps in the area.

“Outside of the three schools evacuated from the Environmental Education Centre and Forest Lodge, all other school camps are safe and away from the fire.

“Parents can be assured that their children are not in danger.”

People should continue to avoid the area. SH73 remains closed between Springfield and Arthur’s Pass.

“There is no risk currently to the village but it is recommended residents be prepared to evacuate if needed.”

Keown says students from three schools were evacuated from camps in the area as a precaution. Students from two of the schools had been staying at the Environmental Education Centre, while the others were at Forest Lodge.

Rudolf Steiner School principal Paul Kennedy told the Herald a group of its students were evacuated from the Environmental Education Centre because of the fire.

“They were transported back to school. We are very thankful that all our students, staff and helpers are safely back home,” he said.

The scrub fire on Bridge Hill near Castle Hill in the Southern Alps. Photo / Supplied

MetService meteorologist Mmathapelo Makgabutlane said wind gusts were up to about 45km/h, alongside 26C heat.

“Fairly strong, gusty winds that we’re seeing out there, and obviously we’ve got quite a bit of heat as well,” Makgabutlane said.

“Strong winds are making this fire difficult to get under control,” Fire and Emergency NZ said.

“Smoke is not affecting SH73 at this stage but we are concerned about people looking at the fire as they drive past. Please keep your eyes on the road. We don’t need a crash on top of what we are dealing with.”

The large vegetation fire at Bridge Hill. Photo / Fire and Emergency NZ

Fire and Emergency NZ is urging residents across the South Island to always check the weather forecast before lighting fires.

“Some parts of Otago are already in a restricted fire season, meaning permits are required to light outdoor fires.

“Even if no permit is needed, windy conditions are a clear signal to refrain from lighting a fire and to check old fire sites to make sure they are not reigniting.”

Katie Oliver is a Christchurch-based Multimedia Journalist and breaking news reporter.