Residents are being evacuated from a rural area surrounding a major scrub fire at Tapawera, near Nelson. Sixty hectares are ablaze and there are six helicopters and 30 forestry appliances on the scene.
Three structures are under threat from the fire which started around 4:15pm on Thursday.
The blaze is burning along an 800 metre front, and strong southerly winds are fanning the flames.
A Fire Service spokesman says the smoke is so thick they have had multiple calls from people saying it's blocking the sun.
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