Canterbury fires: Residents to return home as wind ramps up Waikari Valley blaze, Port Hills fire ‘contained but not out’

Waipara residents will be returning home tonight, as fire crews continue to battle strong winds to contain a vegetation fire in Canterbury’s Waikari Valley.

Five helicopters and around 50 firefighters were called just after 8pm on Sunday to the large “fast-moving” blaze burning through gorse and scrub near Waikari Valley Rd in the Hurunui District.

RNZ is reporting residents of North Canterbury’s Waipara township have just been told by Fire and Emergency they can return to their homes tonight.

The Waikari Valley fire has spread to about 250 hectares. Photo / George Heard

Fire and Emergency incident controller Des Irving said crews had the fire contained earlier this morning but that changed at 11am when the fire jumped its containment line.

“That caused a little bit of panic from us because of the conditions that we are facing and the strong hot dry winds are fanning the fire,” he said.

This meant authorities had to cancel a meeting for evacuated residents that was due to start at midday.

Fire and Emergency had the Waikari Valley fire contained but the blaze jumped its containment line. Photo / George Heard

Irving said two helicopters and one fixed-wing plane are fighting the fire with ground crews supporting operations.

“The fire has spread to about 250 hectares, so we’ll be here for the next 24 hours,” he said.

Port Hills fire update

Meanwhile, as fire operations on Christchurch’s Port Hills continue into day six, Fire and Emergency (Fenz) says the blaze is contained but is not out.

Fenz incident controller Steve Kennedy said crews are focusing on about 40 hotspots considered at risk.

“Conditions have changed around Port Hills since there is some cool weather today, [Fenz] managed to fly helicopters around and the drones have identified 17 new hotspots overnight,” he said.

“Fortunately with it being a bit cooler, it’s probably a bit easier on our crews up there, so it’s not so hot.”

“We are aware of the fatigue factor with our crews and making sure that they’re getting plenty of rest and hydration up there as well,” Kennedy said.

Fire and Emergency incident commander Steve Kennedy says firefighters are working to dampen hotspots. Photo / Joe Allison

Kennedy confirmed about 120 people were still working on the fire.

“The vast majority of them are firefighters on the ground, which would be 100-plus. We’ve still got four aircraft available for us down here as well.”

The fire operations around the Port Hills are expected to run until at least Thursday.

“We are hoping as time goes on and once we get past the weather conditions today, we may be able to start reducing crews,” he said.

Operations manager Rob Hands surveys fire damage in the Port Hills fire as firefighters continue dampening down remaining hot spots. Photo / Chris Skelton

Today is flagged as a high fire-danger day across Canterbury because of the hot, windy conditions.

MetService meteorologist Gerrard Bellam last night said Canterbury High Country would be under a wind warning until 3pm.

“The severe northwest gale in these areas could gust up to 130km/h in exposed places, but it will be a short and sharp spell of wind.”

The east of the South Island can expect 20C-plus highs before temperatures drop significantly in the afternoon, Bellam said.

Kennedy said that means any new fires will move very quickly and be hard to bring under control.

“We have the resources to respond to multiple incidents, but we’re asking everyone to do their part to prevent any more fires starting,” he earlier said.

Christchurch City Council controller Brent Smith said: ”We’re still under a state of emergency and we will do so until we get to the point where it doesn’t require the multi-agency effort.”

“We want to thank the public for the patience and the respect they’ve given the firefighters here, it’s made it a lot easier to get their job done,” Smith said.