Strong wind gusts of up to 140km/h are barrelling up the country felling trees, power lines and lifting roofs, and prompted several fire call outs across East Otago this morning
Strong winds gusts prompted several fire call outs across East Otago this morning.
Firefighters were called to a 200m vegetation fire on Campbells Rd, Pine Hill, a 2:48am, a fire spokesman said.
The blaze was controlled quickly, he said.
Meanwhile several trees were on fire along State Highway One, Allanton, at 3.am.
Gales also caused problems further North, southern fire communications shift manager Tim Reynolds said.
"We've had two reports of roofs lifting [in Kaikoura]."
Trees had come down in around Oxford, Sheffield, Cust and Kirwee in north Canterbury, Mr Reynolds said.
"It's quietened down now," he said.
Sergeant Dean Lawrence of southern police communications said a campervan was also blown over north of Kaikoura on the State Highway 1 about 7.30am.
Nobody was injured in the incident.
Mr Lawrence said they would ask drivers to take care in the area.
Also this morning, a power line has blocked a road in Wainuiomata, north of Wellington.
The line came down on Karaka Street, a police spokesman said.
By Hamish McNeilly and Rebecca Quilliam of NZME. News Service
