Fire crews pulled out of Worsleys area as good progress continues on the Port Hills fire

A firefighter pictured at work last week dampening down hot spots after the Port Hills fire. Picture / Alan Gibson

The news coming out of Christchurch on the Port Hills fire efforts continues to be good.

Fire Service spokesman Bruce Irvine said in the latest update posted online late this afternoon that good progress had been made in controlling the fire in the Worsleys Rd area.

"Patrols will continue in the area, but crews will no longer be actively working in the area unless called in for a flare up."

Residents could help by being vigilant and calling 111 immediately if they saw any sign of the fire reigniting, Irvine said.

"Our crews have made great progress and we're pleased to be able to pull back from the Worsleys area, but we really need people to keep a watch on things for us.

"The more eyes we have out there looking the better."

Operations in other areas affected by the fire are continuing, he said.

Rubbish collections planned

Rubbish collections have also been organised in fire-affected areas tomorrow.

The collection of all Christchurch City Council waste bins will take place from noon to 5pm.

Wheelie-bin collections will take place in the following areas:

Worsleys Rd
Kennedys Bush Rd
Hoon Hay Valley Rd
Early Valley Rd
Dyers Pass Rd, on the Governors Bay side.

All waste will be treated as rubbish, with no need to separate recycling and organics.

Additional rubbish skips will also be placed in Worsleys Rd, outside numbers 323, 338 (2 skips) 351 and 353.

Eleven homes were lost and thousands of residents evacuated when fire ripped through the Port Hills last week.

The fire also claimed a life when war hero helicopter pilot Steve Askin died in a helicopter crash while battling the blaze.