It's been a busy night for firefighters in the South Island dealing with a number of bush and vegetation fires.

Two fire crews are on their way to a blaze which has flared up again at Dunback in Otago because of strong winds.

Also in Otago, a fire at Saddle Hill in Mosgiel has been put out - but several fire crews are maintaining a watch in case that also flares again.

Further north, a fire which started around quarter to nine last night near the road from Little River to Akaroa took four and a half hours to put out.

Several properties were evacuated and State Highway 75 was closed while crews dealt with the blaze.

Crews are continuing to monitor that area, as well as fires which have been put out in Oxford and another area known as 'the dunes' between Rakaia and Rolleston.