Porter's Pass vegetation fire covers 100 hectares, closes highway but firefighters have it 'under control'

A Porter's Pass vegetation fire has slowly spread to cover 100 hectares but is "under control."

A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said the fire started in the Selwyn District, Canterbury shortly after 4:30am.

Southern Command Centre shift commander Daryl Ball told 1 NEWS, "We have it under control but in that area you’ve got to throw as much as you can as quickly as you can at a fire to stop it getting away.”

"Although there’s recently been snow through the Alpine Pass, the tussock has been 'frost cured' which means it freezes off, creating lots of very dry fuel."

Six helicopters are fighting the fire this afternoon, along with 30 ground crew from a control point. 

NZTA have tweeted that SH73 is closed due to the fire and says there is no detour available. One lane of the road has since reopened. 

NZTA advises people travelling on the West Coast to take the Lewis Pass via Waipara, SH7. 

SH73 between Springfield and Arthurs Pass Village is likely to be closed for the rest of the day.