The owner of a Christchurch property where a large scrub fire started spent a nervous night watching the flames get closer to his home.
At least 50 firefighters worked through the night to douse the fire in Port Hills which forced the evacuation of around 40houses on Port Hills Road, Avoca Valley Road and Gilders Grove.
Kester Vos said he noticed the flames around 11pm.
"Within a pretty short time afterwards the police were on the doorstep saying 'you've got two minutes, grab what you can and get out'. The first thing to do was get all the cars off the property and the dogs.
Kester Vos says young people letting off fireworks may have caused the blaze. Photo / Conan Young, RNZ
"Then it was pretty much, okay, we had to clear out of the area, so I've been standing here since 11 o'clock last night."
Vos said the fire was started by young people letting off fireworks.
Police do not believe there is any link to vegetation fires which occurred in the Port Hills on Wednesday. They said inquiries were ongoing.
At first light, two helicopters carried out an aerial survey of the fire.
Fire and Emergency said the flyover "looked positive" and the weather today should help firefighters.
The Community and Public Health division of the Canterbury District Health Board issued a public health warning on Saturday morning for smoke from the fire.
Firefighters near the site where the fire began on Port Hills Rd in Christchurch. Photo / Conan Young, RNZ
There was potential that sensitive groups – such as those with heart or lung conditions, pregnant women, young children and the elderly – might experience symptoms like coughing, shortness of breath or eye, nose and throat irritation, it said.
Medical officer of health Dr Cheryl Brunton recommended that people affected by the smoke should close windows and doors, and reduce outdoor exercise.
Civil Defence is co-ordinating accommodation at St Martin's School Hall for anyone who needs assistance.
A police cordon between Curries Rd and Chapman Rd on SH76. Photo / Chris Lynch, RNZ
Fire and Emergency estimated the fire had burnt through about 15 hectares.
"Our crews did a fantastic job stopping the fire from spreading up the hills and potentially impacting homes," Area Commander Dave Stackhouse said earlier this morning.
"Our priority this morning is to keep it within the area we have currently contained it to.
UPDATE 8:20AM SH76 Hillsborough remains CLOSED between Curries Rd and Chapmans Rd, due to a fire. Please continue to detour via Chapmans Rd, Cumnor Terrace, Maunsell St & Curries Rd. ^EHhttps://t.co/5RTXYkPFxK
— Waka Kotahi NZTA Canterbury & West Coast (@WakaKotahiCWC) December 11, 2020
One of New Zealand's most devastating fires spread across the Port Hills in 2017, killing a helicopter pilot, burning 1600 hectares of land, gutting 11 homes and damaging more.
Witnesses were in court in August as Insurer IAG, lines company Orion and Christchurch Adventure Park debated who should pay for the damage.
The 2017 fires began in two separate locations several kilometres apart but merged, and prompted a review of the fire services in New Zealand, culminating in the formation of a national fire service - Fire and Emergency.
Efforts were made after those fires to plant 10 million trees in the area to reforest it.
