Firefighters battling large fire near Invercargill

Firefighters are battling a large fire that has broken out in a forest company yard near Invercargill.

The fire is being fanned by strong winds, and has spread from a pile of vegetation into dry grass on Kekeno Place.

Thick smoke is crossing the nearby Invercargill Bluff Highway.

The highway is currently blocked to traffic and police are managing the cordon.

A fertilizer works, directly across the highway from the fire, have evacuated their premises as a precaution.

Five helicopters have been deployed to tackle the fire and 12 crews, including four tankers and one command unit, are also working to bring it under control.

It comes as Fire and Emergency is on high alert as the region experiences dry and extremely hot conditions, with temperatures soaring to 33 degrees in some areas.

Fire crews and helicopters have been on standby across the Southland and Otago regions, as rising winds and low humidity levels create an extreme fire risk.

Firefighters are urging people to be extremely vigilant in the heat and avoid any activity that could potentially spark a fire.

For more information about fire restrictions in these and other districts, visit www.checkitsalright.nz/
To find out how to best protect your home from the threat of wildfire visit www.fireandemergency.nz/at-home/protect-your-home-from-outdoor-fires
ENDS

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