Emergency services have been forced to close State Highway 1 in Templeton, near Christchurch this afternoon following a large fire.
The blaze was ignited by a passing train and large volumes of smoke have subsequently blown over the highway, forcing its closure.
NZ Transport Agency said motorists would have to follow the directions of emergency services on scene to get around the blaze.
A spokesman for Fire and Emergency New Zealand said multiple crews are at the scene working to extinguish the blaze.
Meanwhile, two helicopters have been dispatched in North Otago to battle a large fire on Broken Hut Rd, near Omarama this afternoon.
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