For 1News' updates as fire crews battled the blaze on Christchurch's Port Hills as it happened, scroll down.
What you need to know:
- 23 firefighting crews will continue to work overnight.
- As of 3.30pm, 27 fire trucks were battling it, assisted by 14 helicopters, two fixed-wing aircraft, two bulldozers and one digger.
- The fire covers 650 hectares.
- Evacuation centres have been setup at Halswell Library and Community Centre, and Lincoln Community Centre.
- One property has been confirmed to have been lost.
- FENZ has yet to declare the fire contained.
- Early Valley Rd and Hoon Hay Valley Rd residents can now return home.
Firefighters continued to battle a “significant” vegetation fire that caused evacuations in Christchurch’s Port Hills overnight.
Twenty-two crews have remained at the fire overnight, which resulted in a local state of emergency being declared yesterday evening. Dozens of residents were evacuated.
Fire and Emergency New Zealand say they were alerted to the blaze on Worsley's Track on Worsleys Rd, near Cracroft, around 2.15pm yesterday afternoon.
As of 6am this morning, 23 fire trucks will be back at the scene, supported by 13 helicopters and two fixed-wing aeroplanes – focusing on retardant drops.
“Residents who have been evacuated will not be able to return home tonight, and cordons remain in place,” a FENZ spokesperson said.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, with FENZ asking the public for help.
“People who have photographs or videos of the Port Hills taken between 1.45pm and 2.45pm today are asked to email them to PortHills2024Photos@fireandemergency.nz with their name and contact details, when the photo or footage was taken and where the photographer was.”
“The period between 1.45pm and 2.45pm covers the half hour before the fire was reported until half an hour afterwards.”
One container-style home has been lost.
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