New Zealand: Emergency crews responding to vegetation fire in Port Hills in Canterbury Region as of Feb. 15 /update 1

Emergency crews continue to respond to a large vegetation fire burning in Port Hills in the Canterbury Region as of Feb. 15. The fire broke out in the Worsley area in Port Hills the afternoon of Feb. 14 and has spread into Selwyn. The fire is approximately 630 hectares (1,557 acres) in size and more than 130 personnel are fighting the blaze. Another fire broke out near Rolleston in the Selwyn District Feb. 14 but has since been contained. A state of emergency is in place for Christchurch City Council and Selwyn District Council.

Authorities have evacuated around 80 homes from Early Valley, Worsley Spur, Hoon Hay Valley, and Kennedys Bush and around 30 homes in Selwyn District. Officials may also evacuate residents in other parts of Port Hills. An emergency center is located at Halswell Library and Community Centre and at the Lincoln Community Centre for people closer to Selwyn. Crews are carrying out structure protection around properties on Hoon Hay Valley Road. No houses have been damaged, but five or six homes are under immediate threat.

Te Whatu Ora National Public Health Service has also issued a public health warning for smoke from the fire; residents affected by the smoke should close windows and doors and reduce outdoor activities. Power has been restored to tens of thousands of homes in the east of Christchurch, including Bromley, Heathcote, Linwood, and surrounding areas, due to damage at the Bromley substation. Roads surrounding the fire are closed, including Summit Road between Dyers Pass Road and Gebbies Pass Road and Worsleys Road at the intersection with McVicar Drive.

The status of nearby roads is likely to change over the coming hours and days; authorities could close routes in the vicinity of the fire and evacuate communities due to fire activity and the need of response operations. The return of residents could disrupt traffic flows after authorities lift evacuation orders. Low visibility from smoke and possible ashfall could contribute to traffic delays and congestion in the region.