Rural crews fight grass fires

Volunteer fire brigades across Southland were under the pump yesterday following two separate vegetation fires.

Multiple helicopters and eight fire appliances spent over five hours putting out a vegetation fire about 6km north of Nightcaps.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand was first alerted to the small grass fire about 12.20pm, near Sinclair Ave, Opio, on State Highway 96.

Crews from Nightcaps, Mossburn, Drummond, Athol and Blackmount attended. Helicopters were also working to help control the blaze.

It was not yet clear how large the fire was. Earlier, Hedgehope Voluntary Rural Fire Force were alerted to a separate incident, on a section of road between Hedgehope and Mataura, where a series of small grass fires had broken out about 11.45am.

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