Port Hills fire update #5

14 February 2024

Twenty-two Fire and Emergency crews will continue fire operations at a vegetation fire on the Port Hills, Christchurch overnight.

Crews will also be carrying out monitoring and reassurance checks at Governors Bay and Early Valley Rd.

From 6am tomorrow, 23 appliances will be back on the ground. They will be supported by 13 helicopters and two fixed wing aircrafts focused on retardant drops.

Residents who have been evacuated will not be able to return home tonight, and cordons remain in place.

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun, and our Fire Investigator is asking for help from the public.

People who have photographs or videos of the Port Hills taken between 1.45pm and 2.45pm today are asked to email them to PortHills2024Photos@fireandemergency.nz with their name and contact details, when the photo or footage was taken and where the photographer was.

The period between 1.45pm and 2.45pm covers the half hour before the fire was reported until half an hour afterwards.

This will be the final update for tonight.