Kirwee, Canterbury forest fire: Blaze contained with no loss of property but seven choppers to keep fighting from the air

A huge forest fire outside Christchurch has been contained with no loss of buildings or livestock, but seven helicopters and firefighting crews on the ground are still working on the blaze as temperatures are set to soar above 30C today.

Homes were evacuated last night after the fire on Old West Coast Rd near Kirwee in the Selwyn District swept through 80 hectares of pine forest, scrub and farmland.

After starting at around 10pm, fire crews have been battling the blaze.

Seven helicopters and eight fresh crews of firefighters have been brought in this morning.

An aerial inspection after first light confirmed that there had been no buildings damaged or livestock lost.

This morning, Fire and Emergency NZ (Fenz) gave an update for the evacuated residents at a community meeting at Kirwee Community Hall at 11am.

Incident Controller Dave Berry says that today’s hot and windy weather will create extreme fire behaviour if any new fires start.

He asks everyone in Canterbury to take great care with any activities that could cause any sparks and start another fire.

An estimated 10 properties on Old West Coast Rd were evacuated as a precaution last night, while several other households self-evacuated.

At the community meeting, Berry told the residents they were able to return home.

“Crews are working hard to extinguish the fire, but it is very deep-seated in places, so it will take some time,” said Berry.

“Crews will remain on site today. Roadblocks will be lifted, and the road will be opened from midday, at a reduced speed.

“We would like to thank the public and the community for staying clear of the fire ground, which has allowed our crews to work at containing the fire.

“We ask that public continue to avoid the area to allow our crews to continue to operate safely.”

Fire investigators are in attendance, and will work to establish the cause of the fire over the coming days.

Kirwee local Derek Anson was evacuated around 11pm-11.30pm with a neighbour suddenly knocking on his door.

He made three trips, grabbing what he needed, before retreating to the township and spending a restless night “sitting under a tree watching the flames and the smoke”.

A few times in the night, when he saw the night skies light up with flare-ups, he wondered aloud to a friend, “Is that my place?”

Anson, however, praised the firefighters for their sterling work and when he was told that his property was said, responded, “Thank god.”

Fenz earlier said many people in and around Christchurch would be waking to a lot of smoke this morning.

“We recommend that people who are nearer to the fire ground stay indoors and keep their doors and windows shut to reduce their exposure to the smoke.”

The Canterbury region is in for a scorching hot and windy day with a forecast high of 31C for Kirwee, which has already faced a number of fires this year.

A statement early this morning from Fire and Emergency NZ acknowledged many people would be anxious.

Crews were working hard to protect houses and prevent spot fires.

Firefighters are still working to protect houses and prevent spot fires. Photo / Supplied

An evacuation centre has been set up at the hall by Selwyn emergency management for those who can’t stay with family or friends.

“Smoke from the fire is covering a wide area, including much of Christchurch. If you are affected by smoke, stay inside and keep doors and windows shut to minimise exposure.”

The fire is currently estimated to cover an area of 70 hectares. Photo / Supplied

Fire ‘spreading rapidly, very thick smoke’

A witness last night told the Herald huge pine trees were engulfed in flames within seconds.

Police were evacuating multiple houses in the area as the fire spread and had established a road block, stopping all traffic.

“The wind is blowing strongly and the fire is actively moving towards the coast. It’s spread a good kilometre or more now”.

“It’s spreading rapidly, very thick smoke,” the witness said.

Crews from Kirwee, Darfield South, Darfield, West Melton, Rolleston and Wigram were in attendance last night.