Canterbury fires: Helicopters fight 12 suspicious blazes overnight

By Jazlyn Whales

Journalist·NZ Herald·

26 Jul, 2025 08:28 PMQuick Read

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Fire and Emergency were called to the blaze at the Waimakariri riverbank, near the Gorge Bridge, around 9pm last night. Photo / Supplied

Multiple fire crews and three helicopters are fighting 12 suspicious fires in Canterbury, including a 50-hectare blaze near the small town of Sheffield.

Fire and Emergency were called to the blaze at the Waimakariri riverbank, near the Gorge Bridge, around 9pm last night.

Due to its location, it was
too dangerous to fight the blaze last night, and crews returned to the scene this morning.

Crews also responded to 11 other small fires on roadsides and in gorse in the Selwyn District overnight.