Fire and Emergency crews are battling two blazes in Canterbury.
Crews were called just after 10AM to a scrub fire off Oakwood Road in the Timaru district.
The other scrub fired is off the Tekapo-Twizel Road in the Mackenzie district.
High winds forecast for Canterbury High Country / Metservice
Chris Lynch Media understands two helicopters have been called to that blaze.
Metservice has forecast severe gale northwesterlies gusting 120km/h in exposed places for the Canterbury High Country.
It said strong wind gusts could damage trees, powerlines and unsecured structures. Driving may be hazardous, especially for high-sided vehicles and motorcycles.
