Christchurch Civil Defence Update
Monday 20 February 2017 –

Media Update on Port Hills fires –10am

Fire situation

The fire perimeter is around 30km covering 2075 hectares. Full on-ground suppression of the fire is continuing today. There will be a reduced aerial operation this afternoon to enable pilot and air support crew to attend the funeral of helicopter pilot Steve Askin.

Risk assessments are continuing taking into account weather conditions with high temperatures and wind forecast today and tomorrow.

Cordon access
There are no changes to the cordons today. We will update later this afternoon if there are any expected changes. Yesterday an estimated 323 people in 192 vehicles were able to visit their home. This information is as of 9am Monday 20 February.
Cordons

We continue to reassess our information regarding cordons. Cordons in place as at 9am:

· Upper Dyers Pass Road: the cordon is now above the last house on Dyers Pass Road, so above 236 Dyers Pass Road. This means all residents in streets below these cordon points (including Longhurst Terrace and Pentre Terrace) can have access to their homes.
· Dyers Pass Road at Governor’s Bay Road.
· Victoria Park Road: there is now a cordon on Victoria Park Road above the last house on this road. Which is the entrance to Victoria Park.
· Kennedys Bush Road: The cordon has been moved back so residents in houses up to, and including, houses at 299 and 304 Kennedy’s Bush Road, can now access their properties.
· Beyond 327 Worsleys Road
· Summit Road and Gebbies Pass Road
· Hoon Hay Valley Road and Cashmere Road meaning Hoon Hay Valley Road remains closed to the public.

Rubbish collection
There is no rubbish collection today for anyone inside the cordon.

Power
Orion has made good progress with the restoration of services to homes and businesses affected by the Port Hills fires.

Orion crews have replaced 32 damaged power poles and restored power to 85 homes over the weekend.

As of Monday morning around 40 customers remained without power in the Port Hills area.

Restoring services to the remaining homes in the area will be a priority for the coming week, and will continue to be done progressively, as crews are given access by emergency services to the affected areas.

Each home and business premise will need to be checked to ensure power can be turned back on safely.
For updates on power outages around the city visit www.oriongroup.co.nz or call 03 363 9898 for more information.

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