Key points
- Christchurch City (which includes Banks Peninsula) and Selwyn District are in a state of local emergency as fire crews continue to battle a large fire on the Port Hills.
- The fire, which is not yet contained, was reported at 2.15pm on Wednesday as a vegetation fire on Worsleys Rd near Cracroft.
- The main blaze is centred around Christchurch's Summit Rd. 80 homes have been evacuated from Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley and Kennedys Bush. Residents in Hoon Hay Valley Rd and Early Valley Rd were allowed to return this evening.
- 30 homes have been evacuated in Selwyn District.
- Neighbouring Adventure Park says the fire is within its boundary.
- More than 100 firefighters are being supported by 14 helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft, two bulldozers and a digger.
- An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun. Fire and Emergency NZ is appealing for any photos or videos of the Port Hills taken between 1.45pm and 2.45pm on Wednesday.
A house has been destroyed by the massive fire on Christchurch's Port Hills.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (Fenz) Commander Dave Stackhouse this evening said a dwelling "appears to have been destroyed".
Stuff is reporting that it was a container home.
The news comes on a day when more than 100 firefighters, 14 helicopters and two fixed-wing planes were involved in fighting the blaze.
The fire, which had spread over 630 hectares earlier today, blaze was first reported 2.15pm yesterday on Worsleys Rd, Cracroft, in the south of the city, where Fenz said vegetation had caught alight.
Onlookers eager to see the fire, however, disrupted the response, Fenz said, and police today urged "disaster tourists" to stay away form the area.
"Aircraft are also carrying out retardant drops around Kennedy Bush and Summit Rd. We are aware northwesterly wind gusts will be picking up from midday, so our main priority continues to be suppression."
This morning Fenz region manager Brad Mosby said there had been no significant outbreaks overnight and no homes had been damaged. “Our approach today will be to hit the fire hard."
But at 3pm, he warned the fire was not considered to be contained and could take days to put out.
"It is clear this fire is going to be a long duration event."
Staff were working 12-hour days.
"Our fire crews and support crews are working tirelessly in very, very challenging conditions."
"We won't be leaving the site until we're absolutely sure the fire has been extinguished."
He said there were 27 trucks, 14 helicopters in operation, alongside two fixed wing aircraft, which were dropping fire retardant on fire lines this afternoon.
"This work will continue into the evening and we're planning for the same resources to be in operation tomorrow as well as additional resources bought in for incident management teams."
Mosby confirmed the fire had breached into the neighbouring Adventure Park. He was not sure how much land was affected.
Christchurch City Council has provided an updated list of park and road closures due to the Port Hills fire this afternoon.
HOT AND WINDY DAY
Strong winds and hot, dry temperatures were expected in Christchurch today and tomorrow.
MetService said blustery north and north-westerly winds would blow across the city this afternoon and the temperature may reach a high of 28 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologist John Law said the wind was forecast to change to a southerly in the evening with the chance of a shower or two, bur they would not be widespread across Christchurch and Selwyn.
"And obviously with more dry weather to come as we go through in towards Friday and towards the weekend as well, [it's] well worth keeping up with your local fire risk."
Temperatures were expected to drop to 20degC degrees on Friday, but conditions would stay dry and windy, he said.
STATE OF EMERGENCY, PLEA TO KEEP OUT OF WAY
Christchurch City (which includes Banks Peninsula) and neighbouring Selwyn District are in a state of local emergency.
The main blaze is centred around Christchurch's Summit Rd with 80 properties evacuated from Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley and Kennedys Bush. Thirty homes have been evacuated in Selwyn.
The blaze happened a day after the seven-year anniversary of another fire on the Port Hills, which saw swathes of the same area torched in 2017.
At a media conference early this morning, Canterbury police Inspector Ash Tabb said disaster tourists were becoming an issue for fire crews, as they keep blocking roads and stopping equipment from coming in.
People wanting to take a look at the fire were also stopping residents from going in and out, contributing to what was already a very stressful time. “We just need people out of the way.”
Tabb said the behaviour was driven by people “wanting to get shots on their social media accounts”.
Civil Defence Minister Mark Mitchell reiterated the message for people to stay away and stop interfering: "Allow Fenz and police to do their job."
The Coastguard has asked boaties and other water users to stay away from western end of Lyttelton Harbour and Governors Bay Helicopters are using that area to fill their buckets for firefighting.
“Stay safe and please follow the advice of authorities who are right now on deck providing help on the ground and fighting the blaze.”
Fenz has repeated a request for photos and footage of the Port Hills taken on Wednesday between 1.45pm and 2.45pm - half an hour either side of when the fire began.
Email imagery to: porthills2024photos@fireandemergency.nz with your name, contact details, exact time the image was taken and where you were.
HOMES EVACUATED
More than 100 firefighters and a dozen helicopters battled the blaze yesterday. Dozens of properties were evacuated, including a nearby hospital, as plumes of thick, black smoke spewed out - and Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger and Selwyn District Council mayor Sam Broughton announced the local state of emergency at 6.13pm.
Residents evacuated yesterday were not able to return home last night, and cordons remained in place today.
""The fire is not a respecter of boundaries. We are looking forward to this being brought under control."
It was too early to say what started the fire but investigation was under way to ascertain "whether there is any human involvement".
A community hub has been open at the bottom of Worsley Rd from 8am. Fenz, Civil Defence and police will be there and residents can go there to get information or to flag any immediate needs.
The National Public Health Service issued a warning about the smoke and the harm it could cause residents nearby.
“Air around this location is smoky and there is potential that people who are sensitive to smoke - such as those with heart or lung conditions, people who are pregnant, young children and the elderly - may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation."
Canterbury Medical Officer of Health Dr Matt Reid told people to keep their windows and doors shut, switch air conditioners to recirculate air inside their houses, look out for people at risk and keep pets inside.
The SPCA said its Christchurch centre can provide emergency boarding, food and supplies to displaced pets and animals. Please contact the team on (03) 349-7057.
BUSY DAY IN REGION
Crews have also been called to vegetation fires elsewhere in the Canterbury region today.
Fenz said firefighters have managed to contain a fire that was threatening structures in Rolleston in the Selwyn District.
They were alerted at 8.54am. Eight trucks attended attendance and were mopping up this afternoon.
The New Zealand Herald understands the fire was near a timber yard. In a social media post, local business Macrocarpa Supplies alerted customers to the danger.
A Fenz spokesperson said they were alerted to a grass fire threatening structures in Rolleston at 8.54am. Four trucks and a tanker ere sent.
Crews also contained and extinguished a fire that broke out earlier this morning at Glentui in Waimakariri and have since left the scene.
- NZ Herald, Star News and ODT Online
