High temperatures and strong winds in the South Island mean fire crews are expecting a busy afternoon

Thirty firefighters are currently using excavators to extinguish a 10-hectare vegetation fire in South Canterbury, near Fairlie.

Fire and Emergency shift manager Andrew Norris says wind in the area's a major concern.

He says it's blowing debris and hot embers around, and the area's surrounded by forestry as well.

Crews are also dampening down another fire on Ramrock Road, near Bucklands Crossing, in Otago.