Fire crews are continuing to battle multiple wind fanned fires across Canterbury and as far north as Ward in Marlborough.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand said most of the incidents were vegetation fires, but one involved a farm shed and adjoining trees on Selwyn Road near Rolleston.

That fire was reported at 3.42pm.

Ten crews remained at the scene into the evening, after 16 crews were involved at the height of the response.

By nightfall, rain had started to bring relief in some areas, but Fire and Emergency said crews were still working on eight fires as of 5.30pm.

All aircraft had been stood down by nightfall.

Assistant District Commander Brian Keown said the rain and lower temperatures forecast for tomorrow would ease the situation, but Canterbury remained extremely dry for this time of year.

Keown urged anyone who had lit an outdoor fire in the past week to check it was completely out.

He said farmers and lifestyle block owners considering land management fires should check www.checkitsalright.nz and pay close attention to the weather forecast before lighting any new fires.

The first fire of the day was reported at Eyrewell in the Selwyn District at 8.35am.

At its peak, 13 crews with fire trucks and tankers were at the scene, supported by a helicopter.

A vegetation fire at Gebbies Valley near Christchurch was first reported as a hedge fire just before 12.30pm.

Sixteen crews responded, with six remaining at the scene into the evening.

A forestry fire at Hawarden in the Hurunui District was reported just before 2.20pm.

Fire and Emergency said 18 crews, supported by a helicopter, were involved at the peak of the response, with 12 crews still on site into the evening.

An escaped burn off at Mt Culverden was reported just before 2.40pm.

Six crews remained at the scene, after eight responded during the afternoon.

A hedge fire at Emu Plain in the Hurunui District was reported just after 3pm.

Six crews were sent to the scene, with three still working there into the evening.

A tree fire on Inland Kaikoura Road in the Hurunui District was reported about 4.10pm, with two crews attending.

A fire which escaped from a burn pile at Waipara was reported just after 4.20pm.

Seven crews attended, with five still on site into the evening.

In Marlborough, trees were reported on fire at Ward at 5pm.

Eight crews were at the scene, with more crews on the way.

Fire and Emergency said the fires followed a day of strong winds across Canterbury, with conditions creating a significant risk for anyone lighting outdoor fires.

Hurunui District Council asked residents in Hawarden and Waikari to stop all non essential water use immediately to help protect water supplies for firefighting.

The council said level four water restrictions were in place until further notice because of the large fire incident.