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Emergency services contained a bush fire in Christchurch’s Port Hills this afternoon.
Fire and Emergency told RNZ that the fire had been caused by sparks from a construction site.
Earlier today, 16 homes in Clifton were evacuated as a precaution, but all were back home early in the evening.
Smoke has been visible in parts of the city and Christchurch Metro Assistant Fire & Emergency Area Manager Mike Bowden told RNZ Control that around 30 firefighters would remain on site overnight in search of critical points.
He said that while not much active firefighting was done overnight, the hose protection lines were in place in case there were small outbreaks.
As of 5 a.m. tomorrow, a drone team would be operating in the area and used to search for access points, Bowden said, with information from the drones available to daytime crews starting at 8 a.m.
Previously, eight crews were on the scene, assisted by four helicopters, water tankers and a Command Unit, after emergency services received calls from the public around 11.30 a.m. about a fire on Galilee Lane.
A Fire and Emergency spokesperson said people were told to stay away from the area.
Bowden said the covered fire is estimated to have covered about 18 hectares of mostly grass and brush, though it also burned a small amount of native shrubbery.
He said fire crews were able to protect all nearby properties.
Police said Main Road in Sumner, between Cave Terrace and Wakatu Avenue, was being closed to allow a helicopter carrying water to enter and exit the Barnett Park area.
Laces were put in place and people were asked not to travel to the area, they said.
Smoke can be seen coming from near the suburb of Clifton.
Photo: Supplied
A large brush fire in Port Hills in Christchurch on Friday forced the evacuation of about 40 properties when it erupted over Hillsborough late at night. It burned about 25 to 30 hectares of land.
Smoke can be seen coming out of the fire.
Photo: RNZ / Sally Murphy
Health warning for fire smoke
The Canterbury District Board of Health issued a public health advisory for the smoke from the Port Hills fire.
Cheryl Brunton, Canterbury’s medical health officer, said the air around this location is smoky and there is the potential for smoke-sensitive people, such as those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, young children and the elderly , they may experience symptoms such as coughing. , difficulty breathing or irritation of the eyes, nose and throat.
Exposure to smoke can worsen pre-existing health conditions like asthma and heart disease, he said.
Photo: RNZ / Nathan McKinnon
People affected by smoke should close windows and doors and reduce outdoor exercise, he said.
Dr. Brunton said that anyone experiencing health problems from the Port Hills fire should call their regular general practice team in the first instance.
Yesterday it was announced that Canterbury would go into a restricted fire season beginning at midnight on Wednesday.
