26 Dec 2010

Forest fire now under control

5:52 pm on 26 December 2010

A forest fire in north Canterbury, which has been burning since Wednesday, is now under control.

South Canterbury principal rural fire officer Rob Hands says the area near Leithfield Beach is still being monitored regularly for hot spots.

Almost 60 hectares of trees have been burnt.

Two firefighters are using a hand-held thermal imaging camera to check the forest for areas which could flare up and calling colleagues if needed.