A house was threatened by a large grass fire as firefighters battled to contain it in Ben Ohau, Mackenzie District, while firefighters in Levels, Timaru, worked with a landowner after they contained a fire in their paddock.

Fire and Emergency New Zealand southern shift manager Lyn Crosson said they were alerted to a grass fire on Manuka Tce in Ben Ohau at 2.30pm.

The fire was called in as a large grass fire that was threatening a nearby property.

Due to the nature of the fire, multiple crews were called to assist, including Twizel, Lake Tekapo, Omarama, Otematata, Fairlie and Timaru.

A couple of helicopters were also prepped to go, Crosson said.

The first crews to arrive at the scene recorded the fire as 1km by 300m and “did a great job” in containing it, Crosson said.

Having contained the fire, further crews and the two helicopters were stood down.

The property had not been affected and crews at the scene were able to protect the house from the blaze.

A police spokesperson said they were called to the scene at 2.45pm to help with evacuations if they ended up being required.

As of 3.10pm the fire was contained and police confirmed no evacuations were required.

At the same time, in Levels, Timaru, firefighters from Pleasant Point and Temuka were sent to a 150m by 30m grass fire in a paddock, Crosson said.

Crews were able to contain the blaze by 3.15pm and had started dampening down the area.

Firefighters were working with the landowner in the aftermath of the blaze.