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Port Hills fire: Half of hotspots 'eliminated', crews to work overnight
Overnight drone flights across the Port Hills identified 58 hotspots.
Overnight drone flights across the Port Hills identified 58 hotspots.
The private drone presented a safety risk to firefighting crews.
86 firefighters and other personnel are working on the fire today.
Incident Commander Steve Kennedy said their focus was to strengthen the perimeter around the fire. Video / Joe Allison / Supplied
There’s more hot air on the way, especially for some South Islanders, MetService says.
Smoke billowed over Palmerston North as Fenz rushed to control the fire at Cloverlea Tavern. Video / Mike Oliver / Corey Governor / Donelle Waaka
Emergency services called to scene about 2.15pm. People are being asked to stay away.
Fires like the Port Hills blaze now a feature of our summers.
Blaze burned building and line of hedge but firefighters say it is now contained.
Anna Spark speaks about her escape and loss.
Another long night for firefighters as Port Hills fire rages on, Niwa called out after splurging on luxury utes and Taylor Swift fever hits Australia in the latest NZ Herald headlines. Video / NZ Herald / Supplied / Newstalk ZB / AP
'It seems to be a fast-moving thing,' Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
Over 100 firefighters, 14 helicopters and two fixed-wing planes trying to contain blaze.
With most of summer over, NZ is only beginning to get its most dangerous fire conditions.
Police are urging people to keep away so firefighters can tackle the uncontrolled blaze.
An investigation is under way to determine what caused the massive blaze.
Fire investigators uncovered the cause of a caravan fire near Whanganui.
The park was at the centre of the 2017 fires.
"It seems to be a fast-moving thing," Fenz tells evacuated Christchurch residents.
Fire and Emergency firefighters extinguish a fire at a house in Parawera near Te Awamutu. Video / Jesse Wood
A police spokeswoman said they were not treating the fire as suspicious at this stage.
Flat Bush residents urged to stay inside after fire. Video / Gaye Fisher
Residents are advised to close their windows and doors and stay inside.
The tot has been taken to Middlemore Hospital with serious injuries.
Defence lawyer says: "It has touched them profoundly".
Youths were seen running from the scene of a car fire which is threatening houses.
The wind and the dry grass meant the fire moved rapidly up the steep hill.
The family heard a loud bang amid ferocious weather and did not think much of it.
Fenz Assistant Area Commander Mike Manning spoke to the media about the ongoing effort to fully extinguish the Green Gorilla fire in Onehunga. Video / Jason Oxenham
Eight fire trucks, including two aerial units, remain at the scene of the blaze.