Threat of Port Hills fire f lare-ups remains

The battle to extinguish the Port Hills fire could last another month, with many more hotspots yet to be discovered, according to Christchurch’s principal rural fire officer.

Potentially hundreds of hotspots could still be burning across the hills. Thermal imaging has so far focused on areas near or threatening properties.

Christchurch principal rural fire officer Darrin Woods said that while 95 per cent of the fire perimeter was controlled, a ‘‘pretty low’’ percentage of the 2075 hectares of affected area had been thermal imaged.

‘‘As we finish up in those areas and move on to other parts of the fire area, we are going to find more and more hotspots rather than less or less,’’ Woods said. ‘‘We are certainly planning that we could be there for up to four weeks.’’

The Port Hills fire started on Monday, February 13, destroying nine homes and damaging many more. The fire started near Early Valley Rd and another blaze started near Marleys Hill later the

‘‘We could be there for up to four weeks.’’ Christchurch principal rural fire officer Darrin Woods

same evening. Almost two weeks after sparks first flew, 20 crews continue to work on the Port Hills to strengthen containment lines, assisted by helicopters and heavy machinery.

‘‘The reality is that with this particular fire we can’t afford to leave anything burning within the fire’s perimeter,’’ Woods said.

Significant rain remained the best chance of speeding up the process.

‘‘With ongoing firefighting activities in this area it is likely some access restrictions will remain in place.’’

Resident meetings were held by Civil Defence on Thursday evening at Kennedys Bush Rd, Worsleys Rd and Hoon Hay Valley Rd to address concerns and supply information. A statement from Civil Defence said those areas remained ‘‘an operational fire area’’, with public safety still a priority. A cordon remained in place on Dyers Pass Rd from the entrance to Victoria Park to the intersection with Governors Bay Rd.

‘‘There has been considerable damage to not only the road infrastructure but also to the surrounding terrain above the road and it is considered there is an increased risk of rock fall,’’ the statement said. There was no confirmed time frame for the removal of the cordon. ●➤ 50-metre high fire tornado A15 Face of the fires C4

New photos from the Christchurch City Council, such as this one, show the extent of fire damage on the Port Hills. What it does not show is possibly hundreds of remaining hotspots.