Helicopters have been deployed to help fire crews on the ground and to assess the damage from a large scrub fire which ignited on the Port Hills last night.
Forty-five fire fighters are working to contain a large scrub fire which broke out near the suburb of Hillsborough. Two helicopters have been sent to the area to help ground crew.
Area Commander Dave Stackhouse said fire investigators were currently trying to work out how the fire started, and had "good, positive leads".
"We've identified some areas of interest ... [fire investigators] look at the indicators of where the fire started and track back to what we call a point of origin, and we know where that is."
A large scrub fire broke out near the suburb of Hillsborough. (Source: Other)
When asked if he could provide detail about where the fire started, Stackhouse said he couldn't disclose that information at the moment.
But, he said it was near the reservoir in the hills.
An aerial survey showed the fire had burnt through about 25 hectares of land, he said.
Police say around 40 home in Avoca Valley Road and Port Hills Road were evacuated last night. All residents are now able to return home.
Police also confirmed no homes were lost.
Yesterday's fire comes after several suspicious fires were reported in the hills two days ago, believed to have been deliberately lit.
Fifty fire fighters battled the blaze which scorched the Christchurch hills overnight. (Source: Other)
Stackhouse said a number of potential causes were being investigated, including fireworks. But, he said there were other potential sources of the fire that needed to be eliminated.
Police say the fire is not believed to be linked to vegetation fires which occurred on Port Hills on Wednesday.
"We've managed to protect all the structures along the Port Hills Rd and the Avoca Valley ... it's been a good effort," he said.
But one structure had been lost in the fire, Stackhouse said.
He added the loud bangs residents may have heard from the hills last night were LPG bottles inside the cabin.
Overall, Stackhouse said he was positive, with crews expected to remain at the scene until tomorrow.
"The weather is on our side, with only light winds forecast, this should help us in our work throughout today."
He said fire crew would "keep an eye" out for a change of winds to northeasterlies at about 2pm.
The intersection of Curries Road and State Highway 76 have been forced to close with motorists asked to avoid the area.
Fleur Easter says she has her daughter and her animals, but isn’t sure what’s left of her house. (Source: Other)
Homeowner Fleur Easter, whose property was affected by the blaze, believes it was kids that started the fire that caught alight just after 11 pm yesterday.
Meanwhile, Canterbury DHB has issued a public health warning for smoke from the fire.
"Air around this location is smoky and there is potential that sensitive groups – such as those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, young children and the elderly - may experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation," the DHB said.
People who are affected by the smoke are advised to close windows and doors, and reduce outdoor exercise.
It's just three years since the last big blaze that broke out in the Port Hills burning for several weeks and claiming the life of one firefighter.
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