Vegetation fires keep crews busy in South

A vegetation fire has closed a state highway in Southland as crews battle multiple blazes across the South.

A section of State Highway 96 near Mataura in Southland has been closed because of a nearby vegetation fire, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi said

The closure affects SH96 between the intersections of SH1 and Waimumu Road.

Southland Fire and Emergency said crews were responding to three other vegetation fires this afternoon.

The fires were at Dacre-Morton Mains, Makarewa and Greenhills.

Earlier multiple crews fought a paddock fire amid warm and windy conditions in South Otago.

They were alerted to the blaze, approximately 50m by 100m, about 200m north off Johnston Rd, 1km from Balclutha, about 1pm.

A helicopter unit and seven fire appliances were at the scene, a Fire Emergency NZ spokesman said.

A witness said stifling warmth and fierce winds were fanning flames at the rural property. 

From the hill above, he said the fire appeared to come from a heap of dead wood, possibly collected after recent storms.

A huge cloud of smoke blown south by the wind occasionally obscured the area.

Two pump, and one support appliance sped from Balclutha volunteer fire brigade about 1pm and crews appeared to have the blaze under control by about 1.45pm.

Crews from Clutha Valley and Dunedin stations also attended.

- Allied Media