Port Hills fires: what you need to know

Shannon Beynon Reporter from Christchurch Mail

Update on Port Hills Fire 10pm

Key points
· Fifteen crew from United States Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star are assisting

· Hercules expected to arrive in Christchurch on Friday from Australia with fire retardant
· The fire covers an area of 2075 hectares
· About 1000 people have been evacuated
, although there is no way of knowing the full number of people displaced by the fire.
· 11 people are staying at the welfare centre at Te Hapua Halswell Centre
· Cordons remain in place with police and Defence Force staff patrolling

Firefighters will use thermal-imaging technology and high-pressure hoses to manage hotspots within the Port Hills fire overnight.
Christchurch Civil Defence controller Dave Adamson said the nearly 400 firefighters working to control the blaze on Thursday had made good progress, helped in part by more favourable weather conditions.
“We have had significant fire breaks created with heavy machinery and the firefighting effort has targeted the perimeter. While there are still areas burning out of control, the fire is contained within the 2075 hectare area.
“What’s encouraging is that the weather forecast looks promising for the next two days with high cloud, cooler temperatures and a chance of rain on Saturday. However, the situation remains volatile, as we’ve seen with some reported flare-ups, including one on Kennedy’s Bush Road, so the cordons remain in place to ensure personal safety and security of property.”
There are 11 people staying at the welfare centre at Te Hapua Halswell Centre.
Fifteen crew from the United States Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star are assisting police and the New Zealand Defence Force in the evacuated areas.
Another 31 police are due to arrive in Christchurch on Friday.
Orion reports that as at 7.45pm there were 126 customers still without power. Some supplies are expected to be restored overnight.

Update on Port Hills Fire 7.30pm

Key points
· United States Coast Guard heavy icebreaker USCGC Polar Star offers to help
· Hercules heads to Australia to collect fire retardant
· 14 helicopters and 3 fixed wing aircraft were used today
· Special fire pods are being used to shoot high-pressure water into the ground to extinguish roots burning below the surface
· Almost 400 people have been on the ground fighting the blaze
· Efforts are focused on controlling the fire – it is not possible to assess the status of individual properties at this stage
· Cordons remain in place with police and Defence Force staff patrolling

Offers of assistance have been received from the United States and Australia to support the Port Hills fire response.
Christchurch Civil Defence controller Dave Adamson welcomed the offer of assistance.
Air Commodore Kevin McEvoy, the Acting Commander Joint Forces New Zealand, said an Air Force C-130 Hercules strategic airlift aircraft left for Australia this afternoon to pick up five pallets of firefighting foam and other fire-retardant materials.
A detachable fire pod is also being shipped from Wellington this evening, in addition to the four NZDF fire pods currently being used to fight the Christchurch fires. The pods can be transported on a variety of vehicles and use an ultra high-pressure hose with a pointed nozzle that can pierce the ground and douse burning roots.
An additional fire response team made up of four experienced firefighters has been sent to join the six Army firefighters currently working with Selwyn fire authorities.
Mr Adamson said emergency services recognise that many of the residents evacuated are concerned about the condition of their properties in the fire zone and are anxious to return home. At this stage the Emergency Operations Centre has received no information about the status of individual homes.
Much of the area behind cordons is very dangerous and the priority for all agencies is to get the fire under control.
Firefighters are working on the ground and from the air, doing everything possible to keep the fire away from houses.
“Police have advised that it is expected that a large number of homes will have suffered damage from smoke, heat and fire. The number of damaged homes in total will not be known until the fire emergency has ended.
“We are aware that this is an extremely anxious time for residents who have had to leave their homes and we are working with other agencies to arrange for this information to be passed on to homeowners in the affected areas as soon as the information becomes available.”
Police have advised that all current cordons will remain in place tonight and into tomorrow. Police say that residents who chose to remain behind the cordons now have a special provision to exit the cordons and return. To re-enter they must register at the cordon point and provide photo identification. They must also carry documentation proving their occupancy such as a bill or rates invoice.

Power supply

Around 128 customers remain without power in the Port Hills area. The power supply has been maintained to the rest of the city throughout the day, and Orion continues to closely monitor Christchurch's power supply and respond to any issues arising as a result of the fires continuing in the Port Hills.

Lines in the fire affected area in the Port Hills remain off grid, and power continues to be rerouted, including through Orion's new underground, Northern Loop cable.

Orion asks residents and businesses to conserve power where ever possible, to reduce the load on the network while it is in contingency mode.

It is possible that there will be further outages until the fires are fully extinguished. Orion urges residents in the Port Hills area to take particular care around electricity at this time.

For updates on power outages around the city visit www.oriongroup.co.nz... or call 03 363 9898 for more information.

Welfare

The teams providing welfare support are truly grateful for offers of help for services, but there is no need at the moment – the teams are well-resourced.

People can call 0800 777 846 for support and general practice medical centres are open for those who feel unwell or unable to cope. It is normal to feel anxious or stressed during abnormal events, and talking about how you feel to someone you trust can help. Advice can be found online at:
allright.org.nz...
www.facebook.com...

People with financial needs can contact Work and Income (0800 559 009) or go into any site in Christchurch. Civil Defence payments are available, more information can be found here:
www.workandincome.govt.nz...

Firefighting efforts

More than 390 firefighters have been fighting the fire today, including 26 rural fire crews with more than 200 personnel between them. The fire service has 62 crews with 190 pumps and tankers, and more than 160 firefighters on the ground.

The fire service is asking people to stay away from the area so that the fire crews can do their work safely. The terrain is difficult and challenging, posing a risk to firefighters.

There are 14 helicopters flying and three fixed wing aircraft on the scene.

Fire ban
National Rural Fire Authority has put a total fire ban in place from South Canterbury to Hurunui.

Road closures
· Cashmere Rd is closed between Hendersons Rd and Kaiwara St.
· Penruddock Rise is also closed at Cashmere Rd
· Worsleys Rd is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Hoon Hay Valley Rd is closed at Cashmere
· Kennedys Bush Road is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Sutherland Road is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Worsleys Track from Worlseys Road is closed
· Dyers Pass Road is closed between Hackthorne Road to Governors Bay Road. Use the Lyttelton Tunnel or Gebbies Pass as the alternate route.
· Summit Road is closed between Gebbies Pass and Rapaki Track
· Old Tai Tapu Road is closed between Osterholts Road and Early Valley Road.
· Early Valley Road is closed at Old Tai Tapu RdUpdated 4pm

Wonderful news! Sign of the Kiwi is intact and not damaged.
---
Updated road closures : 2.25pm

The following roads are currently closed because of the Port Hills fire.
Please stay well away from these roads, so that emergency services can do their job and keep people safe.
· Cashmere Rd is closed at Hendersons Rd
· Cashmere Rd is closed at Kaiwara St
· Worsleys Rd is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Hoon Hay Valley Rd is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Kennedys Bush Road is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Sutherland Road is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Penruddock Rse is closed at Cashmere Rd
· Worsleys Track from Worlseys Road is closed
· Dyers Pass Road is closed between Hackthorne Road to Governors Bay Road. Use the Lyttelton Tunnel or Gebbies Pass as the alternate route.
· Summit Road is closed between Gebbies Pass and Rapaki Track
· Old Tai Tapu Road is closed between Osterholts Road and Early Valley Road
· Early Valley Road is closed at Old Tai Tapu Rd
· Holmes Road is closed at Old Tai Tapu Rd.

Update from Press conference 1.50pm

* Prime Minister Bill English confirmed Australia has offered to assist. He would take up any offers based on the advice from people on the ground, he said.

* Civil Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said while the people battling the blaze on the ground were doing an incredible job, the bureaucratic processes were not up to scratch, and the relevant legislation would be reviewed after the event. The fastest and most accurate source of information had been from the media, he said.

* Christchurch Mayor Lianne Dalziel defended the processes, saying in terms of resourcing, nothing would have changed even if a state of emergency had been declared earlier. The review was not for today, she said, today was for thanking those on the ground.

And from Dep. Mayor Vicki Buck:

Estimated area of the fire is now over 2000ha but is currently not growing actively in any area .

Sign of the Kiwi is okay.

11 houses have been destroyed and 2 large sheds

Each one of those monsoon buckets contains 700 litres of water .

An air attack supervisor sits above all the helicopters to control the air space movements

Update on Port Hills Fire 11.45am

More than 130 firefighters are currently on the ground fighting the Port Hills fire.

The main activity is in the northern area of the Port Hills, including Hoon Hay Valley Road, Dyers Pass Road and Worsley Road.

The Fire Service has 40 crews with 45 pumps and tankers, and more than 130 firefighters on the ground. There are 26 rural fire crews with more than 200 personnel. Fourteen helicopters are in the air, along with three fixed wing aircraft

The situation is changing regarding property damage, but the latest report is that 11 houses and two sheds have been lost. Four of the houses are in Worsleys Road, four in Hoon Hay Valley Road, one house and one shed on Burkes Bush Road, and two houses and one shed on Early Valley Road.
Evacuations

Civil Defence is receiving inquiries from residents who have been evacuated about when they will be able to return to their homes. It is too soon to be able to answer this with any certainty. People are encouraged to monitor Civil Defence and Council web and social media channels for the latest updates. As soon as any information is available about when people can return we will ensure that it is widely publicised.

HEALTH UPDATE
Canterbury DHB is reminding people to phone their GP team first if they experience any respiratory issues or concerns.
Dr Alistair Humphrey, Canterbury Medical Officer of Health, says for the vast majority of people, the smoke will be unpleasant, but carries no risk to their health.
People who have difficulty breathing, have a prolonged cough or tightness in their chest should make their own GP team their first call 24/7 for #carearoundtheclock.
Dr Humphrey is also encouraging people remember to look out for their neighbours, especially the elderly, or those with disabilities and make sure they’re ok.
“Canterbury has been hit hard with its fair share of disasters in the last half decade, so many people will understandably be feeling overwhelmed and in shock. We all need to remember to look out for one another and take care of each other.”

WELFARE UPDATE
A huge thank you to all the residents, community groups and businesses of Christchurch and elsewhere who have offered their help, donations of food, water and accommodation to the emergency response. The fires have had a big impact on the people of Christchurch who have responded with kindness and care. It means a lot to those affected.If you are at all worried or uncomfortable remaining in your home, please evacuate. You can go to any of the city welfare centres for assistance. So far 450 properties have been officially evacuated.

EVACUATED AREAS

Police say they are now evacuating residents downhill of the Sign of the Takahe on Dyers Pass Rd as far as, and including, Kiteroa Pl and Pentre Terrace. Residents have been told to leave immediately.

Residents in the area from the Sign of the Takahe to Victoria Park should evacuate their homes immediately.

Affected areas include:

- Dyers Pass Road into Victoria Park.
- Hoon Hay Rd
- The south side of Cashmere Rd to Kennedys Bush Rd and to Hoon Hay Valley Rd.
- The Port Hills around Worsleys Rd and Cashmere Rd.
- Early Valley Rd.
- Westmorland.
- Kennedys Bush, and its intersecting streets are from Halswell Quarry up towards the end of Kennedys Bush Rd.
- Longhurst Tce.

EVACUATION CENTRES
Selwyn Events Centre in Lincoln
Te Hapua Halswell Centre, Halswell Rd (The library and pool at this centre remain open).
Nga Hau e Wha Marae, Pages Rd
There is also the Facebook page Evacuation Housing for evacuated residents to ask for help, and allow others to offer temporary accommodation to those evacuated.

ROAD CLOSURES
Cashmere Rd is closed west of Kaiwara St through to Kennedys Bush Rd.
Worsleys Rd and Worsleys Track are closed.
Kennedys Bush Rd is closed from the roundabout with Rock Hill Drive. This includes the southbound cycle track.
Early Valley Rd is closed.
Holmes Rd is closed.
Old Tai Tapu Rd is closed between Osterholts Rd and Early Valley Rd.
Dyers Pass Rd is closed between Hackthorne Rd and Governors Bay Rd. People should use the Lyttelton Tunnel or Gebbies Pass as the alternate route.
Summit Rd is closed between Gebbies Pass and Rapaki Track.
Hoon Hay Valley Rd is closed due to rubbernecking. Residents can still access their properties.
The Christchurch Adventure Park is closed.