Canterbury fire crews have contained a suspicious vegetation fire near the town of Sheffield

Multiple firefighters and three helicopters were working to put out the 50 hectare blaze at the Wai-ma-ka-riri riverbank, near the Gorge Bridge.

Crews were first called to the area at about nine last night - but the fires location and the fact it's burning through gorse, made it too dangerous so crews returned this morning.

Fire and Emergency and Police are also investigating 11 small fires lit on roadsides and in gorse in the Selwyn District - they're also being treated as suspicious.