Port Hills fire update from incident controller Steve Kennedy
50 firefighters are working to get on top of a scrub fire in North Canterbury, while crews enter day six of firefighting efforts on Christchurch’s Port Hills.
Emergency services were called just after 8pm on Sunday to the large “fast-moving” blaze that was burning through gorse and scrub near Waikari Valley Rd in the Hurunui district.
Five helicopters responded to the fire but three with monsoon buckets were grounded due to the wind, while the other two with specialised equipment are continuing to operate.
A Fire and Emergency (Fenz) spokesperson said: “This morning ground crews are strengthening the containment line while the helicopters work from the air.”
“The fire is currently uncontrolled and has largely burned out, but remains a risk due to high winds.”
A community meeting for evacuated residents at the Waipara Community Hall. Photo / George Heard.
“Anyone whose life or safety is at risk should call 111. If you feel unsafe at home you are advised to self evacuate,” Fenz said.
Fifteen crews were battling the fire last night and two helicopters are on standby to join them this morning. Photo / George Heard
Homes were evacuated last night as the fast-moving scrub fire burned in Waikari Valley. Photo / George Heard
“We got about an hour’s sleep”
Evacuated residents Sally and Philip Thompson told the Herald that at 8pm they were alerted by their son’s friend of a fire behind Mount Donald.
“We began considering what items to take if we needed to evacuate, so we started organising some photos and essentials,” Sally said.
Evacuated residents Sally and Philip Thompson. Photo / George Heard
“A local firefighter called us, advising us to prepare for evacuation, which made us take the situation seriously.”
The couple, who live approximately a kilometre away, received evacuation orders from the police just after midnight.
“We anticipated the fire to reach Mount Donald sooner, but our house was already covered in ash,” they told the Herald.
Evacuated resident Sally Thompson lives about a kilometre from the fire. Photo / George Heard
Sally said that they both got about an hour of sleep.
“I might have slept for about an hour in the front seat of the car,” Philip said.
“But this morning, it seemed like the fire had died down a bit.”
A farmer rushes to move his cattle out of the fire zone. Photo / George Heard
Port Hills fire update
Firefighting efforts on Christchurch’s Port Hills are continuing into day 6, with a focus on eliminating hotspots and strengthening the containment lines.
“Fire and Emergency’s specialist drone team carried out a second night of thermal imaging and identified a further 30 hotspots that crews are targeting today,” Incident Controller Steve Kennedy said.
He said the intention is to strengthen any vulnerable points around the perimeter and continue extinguishing deep-seated fires in several old forestry skid sites before the wind strengthens this afternoon.
Firefighting efforts on Christchurch’s Port Hills are continuing into day 6, with a focus on eliminating hotspots and strengthening the containment lines. Photo / George Heard
Today is flagged as a high fire danger day across Canterbury because of the windy and hot conditions, and Steve Kennedy said that means any new fires will move very quickly and be hard to bring under control.
“We have the resources to respond to multiple incidents, but we’re asking everyone to do their part to prevent any more fires starting.” This means avoiding high-risk activities that generate sparks or waiting until the coolest part of the day.
These high-risk activities include:
Using equipment that generates sparks, or where blades can strike a stone and cause a spark (eg welders, grinders, mowers, chainsaws).
Parking vehicles in long grass - hot exhausts can start a fire.
Grass fire in Seddon, Marlborough
A helicopter and around five fire crews have been fighting a grass fire in Seddon in Marlborough since early this morning.
Fenz southern district shift manager Simon Lyford said the fire was first reported around 5.30am, with four crews initially sent in response.
When they arrived the fire had spread over an area around 200m x 40m. The crews requested a helicopter and two additional tankers, which are en route. The fire is still considered under control.
High winds forecast for Christchurch
Gusty, dry northwesterly winds are set to strengthen for Christchurch and surrounding areas this afternoon as fire crews continue to fight the north Canterbury fire as well as moving into their sixth day of the Port Hills fire.
Fire crews were staying on overnight to reduce the risk of flare-ups in the high winds that are expected today, Kennedy said.
⚠ Severe Weather Warnings and Watches updated:
For Stewart Island, Southland and Clutha: after the Strong Wind Warning expires, strong west to southwest winds are expected to affect these areas late morning and afternoon.#nzwxpic.twitter.com/MU9CnvSga6
MetService meteorologist Gerrard Bellam last night said Canterbury High Country would be under a wind warning until 3pm this afternoon.
“The severe northwest gale in these areas could gust up to 130km/h in exposed places, but it will be a short and sharp spell of wind.”
The east of the South Island can expect high 20C-plus temperatures, but temperatures are likely to then drop significantly in the afternoon, Bellam said.
A front would bring a cooler southerly change for Christchurch in the evening followed by showers.
