Helicopters and crews battle large vegetation fire in Hurunui

Monday 24 August 2026 · 4 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 24 Aug, 4:20pm

In this story Fire and Emergency New Zealand

Fire and Emergency NZ is responding to a vegetation fire on Karaka Road, south of the Hurunui River. Three helicopters and several fire brigades are tackling the blaze, which covers more than 100 hectares. Difficult terrain is currently making ground operations challenging, though no homes are believed to be at risk.

How they headlined it

2:51pm4:20pm

1. NZ HeraldMon 24 Aug, 2:51pm

   Hurunui wildfire: Helicopters and crews battle Canterbury blaze (opens in new tab)

2. 1NewsMon 24 Aug, 3:06pm

   Fire crews, three helicopters battle vegetation fire in Hurunui (opens in new tab)

3. StuffMon 24 Aug, 3:12pm

   Helicopters battle large Hurunui blaze, terrain too rough for ground operations (opens in new tab)

4. The PressMon 24 Aug, 4:20pm

   Three helicopters battle 100-hectare vegetation fire in Hurunui (opens in new tab)