Huge swathes of Christchurch’s Port Hills are completely scorched as a scrub fire continues to spread tonight. Aaerial photographs taken throughout the day reveal its scale and capture an incredible scene of smoke and flames.
More than 100 firefighters, 14 helicopters and two fixed-wing planes are racing to suppress and contain the blaze as strengthening winds threaten to spread it further.
Herald photographer George Heard has been on the scene for the past two days.
At a press briefing at 3pm, Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) region manager Brad Mosby said the fire was still not considered contained.
Mosby said the burn area was “significant” and there was no update on what its cause could have been.
“It is a long-duration event, even if we brought the fire under control today it would take many more days for ... [us to] mop up. We won’t be leaving the site until we are absolutely sure this fire is out,” Mosby said.
At 7.30am today, it measured 630ha with a 12km perimeter.
Mosby said it was clear the fire was going to be a “long-duration event”.
Fire retardant drops and buckets will carry on until dark and then again tomorrow.
“The fire has breached into the Adventure Park. It is still uncertain how far it has gone but we are working with management ... there is no damage to any infrastructure at the park.”
No houses had yet been lost or were under threat.
Mosby said “there’s always the risk” the fire could spread as it did overnight. But crews were working extremely hard to make sure that no houses were damaged.
“We’re 24 hours into this event now and for our fire crews to be protecting those people’s properties and still not losing a home, due credit for those efforts.”
Fire behaviour experts were “working around the clock” to tell Fenz crews what was coming in terms of weather.
Firefighters are working 12-hour shifts and are being rotated out for breaks and food.
Another meeting for affected residents would be held at 7pm in Halswell.
Raphael Franks is an Auckland-based reporter who covers breaking news. He joined the Herald as a Te Rito cadet in 2022.