Firefighters and helicopters are battling two major scrub fires in Rangiora this morning, with Canterbury set for another scorcher today. Thick haze over Rangiora as firefighters battle a blaze that started on Sunday on the banks of the Ashley River. Rangiora man Paul Bradshaw said he went outside at around 6.30am, the air was "reasonably thick with smoke", and ash was floating through the air. Sharon Miller, from west Rangiora, said there was a haze over the town this morning and a strong smell of smoke. MetService has forecast Rangiora to reach a high of 31C today, with similar windy conditions that saw vegetation fires across Canterbury on Saturday.

Source: Otago Daily Times February 02, 2020 19:41 UTC