New Zealand firefighters battle ravaging multiple fires in south island

WELLINGTON, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Firefighters are battling multiple massive fires on Wednesday in south island of New Zealand in the wake of a prolonged dry season and usually high temperature.

The multiple fires broke out in Southland and Otago districts, including two major cities Dunedin and Invercargill in the southern tip of the island, Fire and Emergency department said in a statement.

Six helicopters and six crews are battling a fire on McLeods Road, in Burnside in Dunedin while two tankers are on their way to the scene. Three industrial buildings are on fire, and the police have closed part of the Dunedin Southern Highway.

The police are helping evacuate surrounding homes and businesses, and all of the lower half of the suburb of Concord due to wind and fire embers.

Meanwhile, crews are also battling scrub and grass blazes in Tahakopa Valley and another on Round Hill Road inland from Karitane.

In Southland, another fire has broken out in a forest company yard near Invercargill.

The fire is being fanned by strong winds, and has spread from a pile of vegetation into dry grass on Kekeno Place, near the Invercargill Bluff Highway.

Four helicopters and multiple crews have been working to contain it as it is understood it was partially contained.

A fertilizer works, directly across the highway from the fire, was earlier evacuated as a precaution.

Fire and Emergency department has been on high alert as the region experiences dry and extremely hot conditions, with temperatures soaring upwards of 30 degrees in some areas amid an extreme fire risk as a result of rising winds and low humidity levels.

Firefighters are urging people to be extremely vigilant in the heat and avoid any activity that could potentially spark a fire. Enditem