Resident Juliet Neill led a deputation to the Banks Peninsula Community Board at its meeting to discuss the concerns last week.
"There have been eight fires in the Port Hills in the last six weeks," she told the board.
"Increasing dry winds and soaring temperatures, along with poor planning, human error and arson will ensure the fires continue.
"(Christchurch) city council has declared a climate emergency and we are hoping the board will act as a conduit, encouraging the council to make fire prevention a part of their response.”
Neill, who was supported by Ken Maynard and Jenny Healey of the Lyttelton Residents Association and Cass Bay Residents Association respectively, expressed three areas of concern about fire management.
The existing stands of flammable exotic trees are a concern, including the pines and eucalyptus in the harbour basin. Neill said because these exotics were planted right next to settlements, it is a disaster waiting to happen.
Management of the trees is difficult due to different land ownership, but she insisted the city council clear dead debris from the forest floor and replace the exotic trees with more fire resistant natives.
Corsair Bay resident Simon Thomas has worked as a member of the rural fire service in Australia and knows how volatile eucalyptus trees can be. There is a stand on the edge of the reserve above the Corsair Bay car park.
"Were they on our own land, we would have removed them long ago," he said.
"There are often very strong blustery winds, which push directly from the car park towards our house, which is a particular concern given people camp there and make barbecues,” he said.
Neill said: “The lack of fire strategies is also a big problem.
"Fire and Emergency NZ is great in helping to raise awareness of what to do in the event of a fire, but there are little plans or advice on mitigation.
"We need real dialogue and urgent action."
The group want a fire management plan put in place for Lyttelton and the surrounding area.
Said Healey: "It is ridiculous that back-up power lines are being used when there are such high winds."
FENZ area commander Dave Stackhouse said there was a meeting in early December with Lyttelton residents to talk about fire mitigation methods.
"We are also planning similar meetings in Akaroa, Sumner and other local communities," he said.
Banks Peninsula Community Board Lyttelton member Tyrone Fields said the meeting in December primarily focused on what individual homeowners can do to reduce the fire risk.
But the residents told the community board they want to see larger plans put in place by the council in relation to its climate change response.
Neill said: "We do not want to see everything we love go up in flames.
"The problem of fires is not going to disappear, it is only going to get worse. Climate change is of huge concern and there needs to be more planning for fire mitigation."
She called on the board to pressure the city council into taking urgent action.
A city council spokesperson said the increasing fire risk on the Port Hills and Banks Peninsula has been highlighted as an issue in its climate change risk assessment.
"It will be a part of a number of work programmes in our climate change strategy that goes to council later this year," the spokesperson said.
