Civil Defence Update Monday 20 February 2017 - 12pm

Update on Port Hills fires – midday

Weather/fog

Aircraft are still in operation over the Port Hills. However low cloud is currently restricting flight in some areas, particularly around the tops of the hills and at higher altitudes. The cloud is expected to clear by the early afternoon.

Number of homes affected by fire

More detailed assessment has been carried out on houses directly affected by the fire. Information is as follows:

• 9 homes destroyed

• 2 homes with partial damage. Damage includes things like cracked windows, heat damage.

• 3 properties with damage to other external structures e.g sheds or outbuildings

Cordons

There are 154 properties which remain behind the cordons. These are as follows:
Cordon Houses affected
305 Kennedys Bush Road 83 houses
51 Hoon Hay Valley Road 19 houses
329 Worsleys Road 51 houses
Dyers Pass Road just below lower Victoria Park entrance Nil
Dyers Pass Road – Governors Bay Nil
Summit Road at Gebbies Pass 1 house

We continue to reassess our information regarding cordons.

Access

We’re regularly being asked why access is still restricted to Port Hills reserves and tracks where the fire has been extinguished. Controller John Mackie says this is purely for safety reasons as the fire has caused new hazards that are not always visible. There is an ongoing risk to the public if the fire flares up and we need to know who is in the area around the fire.

ends

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