About five engines, water tankers, a rural command unit, and a helicopter with a monsoon bucket are fighting to contain the blaze. Photo: Geoff Sloan

Fire crews were working to contain a blaze near Dunsandel, south of Christchurch, on Wednesday.

Two helicopters equipped with monsoon buckets were used to fight the scrub fire, which was at risk of spreading to a shed on Frasers Rd.

It was called in about 1.30pm.

A helicopter with a monsoon bucket fighting a fire near Dunsandel. Photo: Geoff Sloan

A Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokeswoman said some nearby properties were threatened by the fire, but it was understood they had not received any damage.

Strong nor'westerlies made conditions difficult for fire crews battling the blaze.

At least seven engines, nine tankers and the fire command unit were at the scene. 

It comes after a scrub fire near Templeton which closed State Highway 1 was brought under control on Tuesday night.