The fire was contained to a pit, but the person responsible for the controlled burn-off did not have a permit, said Fire and Emergency New Zealand spokesman Daniel Reilly.
A restricted fire season was put in place in Christchurch and the surrounding districts at midnight on Saturday due to the increasing fire risk.
The Rolleston Volunteer Fire Brigade was called to the blaze on Curraghs Rd about 8.46am.
Mr Reilly said no one was fined over the incident.
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He said there would not have been enough water available to fight the fire if it got out of control.
The new fire restrictions apply to the Christchurch City Council area (including Banks Peninsula) and the Selwyn, Hurunui and Waimakariri districts.
A permit is required to light all open air fires.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand said the prolonged period of warm, dry conditions and strong nor'west winds are behind the fire restrictions in Canterbury.
