Fire crews were kept busy fighting two blazes in Christchurch on Tuesday morning.
One of the fires, which broke out near Evans Pass Rd near Summit Rd in Sumner about 3.30am, is being treated as suspicious.
Fire and Emergency NZ shift manager Daniel Reilly said the scrub fire covered an area of about 60m by 60m.
Four fire crews were called to the scene.
Sumner Volunteer Fire Brigade chief fire officer Daryl Sayer said grass and scrub at the edge of Rapanui Bush was well alight by the time crews arrived.
He said about 20 firefighters from the Sumner, Woolston, Central and Governors Bay stations attended.
The fire was extinguished using three hoselines - but extensive dousing of the area was required to prevent flare-ups.
"The cause of the fire is uncertain, but probably either carelessness with a heat source or deliberately lit," Mr Sayer said.
He said people should take care while undertaking any activities in the dry hill areas that have the potential to cause a fire.
"The fire risk in this area is currently 'high' and we are in a prohibited fire season, which means no lighting of fires outside."
Meanwhile, firefighters also responded to a report of a car fire on School Rd in Yaldhurst about 4.30am.
When they arrived at the scene, a car, shed and 5m of hedge were found on fire.
Mr Reilly said the incident is not currently being treated as suspicious.
