18 fire appliances and two helicopters are still fighting an large out of control fire in Broomfield in the Hurunui district.

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson urged members of the public to stay away to allow crews to work safely.

Crews have also been carrying out mop up operations after a significant scrub fire in Eyrewell this morning.

That blaze had 11 fire trucks and 2 helicopters in attendance and most of those resources have since been released.

Fire and Emergency said they have been called to a number of other fires over the past 48 hours linked to old burn piles that were not properly extinguished.

Some piles had been left for more than 5 days and reignited in the dry and windy conditions.

Fire and Emergency urged anyone who has had a fire in the past week to check it immediately.

They said people should rake out the pile to see if it is warm in the middle and, if so, apply water and continue raking until it is cold throughout.