Firefighters a battling a fire near Hanmer Springs this evening.

Eyewitness Ben McEvoy says the hill fire is near Waiau River Estate, just outside Hanmer Springs near State Highway 7.

A Fire and Emergency spokesman said the fire is being fanned by strong winds.

He said the fire is “uncontained and they haven’t yet determined its size.”

12 trucks are at the scene.

There are no properties under threat.

State Highway 7, near the Hamner Springs turnoff had been closed.

NZTA says motorists should use State Highway 73 for access to the West Coast from Canterbury.