A tyre blow-out is suspected to have caused the vegetation fire that burned alongside State Highway 1 near Burnham this afternoon.
The fire, which scorched approximately 30 hectares, partly within the Selwyn River bed and adjoining farmland, prompted a major response from emergency services.
Incident Commander Mike Johns said the firefighting effort is being gradually scaled back, but multiple crews, tankers, and fire trucks remain at the scene, along with two helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets.
Photo: Hayley Ellmers
Crews will patrol the area overnight to address any potential flare-ups.
Residents who were evacuated earlier in the day have been allowed to return to their homes, and State Highway 1 has reopened to traffic.
Johns confirmed that the fire has been contained, though the investigation into its exact cause is ongoing.
“The preliminary indication is that the fire is linked to a vehicle tyre blow-out, but this will not be confirmed until the investigation is complete,” he said.
Firefighters and investigators continue to monitor the situation closely as efforts to fully extinguish the blaze progress.
