Light rain and winds help firefighter contain fire in Port Hills

Authorities working to contain the Port Hills fire are being helped by drizzle, which is forecast to turn to light rain this afternoon. Photo / Chelsea Daniels

Authorities working to contain the Port Hills fire are being helped by drizzle, which is forecast to turn to light rain this afternoon.

Civil Defence said in a statement that protection of property remained a high priority, with firefighters working to black out the fire perimeter.

The Fire Service remained concerned about the area around Victoria Park and east of Dyers Pass Rd.

The area had terrain and vegetation suitable for fire spread. However, favourable conditions of drizzle and light rain with north easterly winds were forecast for later today.

Geotechnical experts were continuing work to assess the risk of rock-fall in areas where there had been significant loss of vegetation.

Cordons remained in place this afternoon in Worsleys Rd, Kennedys Bush Rd, Dyers Pass Rd at the Sign of the Takahe and at the top of Huntsbury Ave.

Civil Defence thanked residents for their patience as the organisation assessed whether or not the cordons could be moved or lifted.

Access would be made available once the Fire Service had determined the risk to be at an acceptable level, Civil Defence said.

Police and the NZ Defence Force continued to patrol in and around the cordoned areas.

Residents not yet able to return home were encouraged to register with Civil Defence should they wish to access their property and retrieve valuables or check on animals.

Around 100 registrations had been received and Civil Defence said it would be in touch with those people today.

About 400 people attended a residents meeting called this morning.

Civil Defence called it "a valuable opportunity for emergency services to explain to residents the current situation and to hear residents' feedback and concerns".

Authorities were now acting to address the issues raised.

Medical Officer Alistair Humphrey said anyone who had to leave medicines behind during the evacuation could get a repeat script at an after-hours health clinic.

"If you need a repeat script, you can get this from any of the after-hour health clinics. Pharmacists can access people's medication records, so are able to dispense emergency supplies of medication."