Civil Defence Update Wednesday 1 March 2017 4.40pm

Port Hills Fire

Wednesday 1 March

Media Update – 4.40pm

Unless there are any significant developments overnight this will be the last update until tomorrow.

State of Emergency ends

· The state of local emergency covering Christchurch City and Selwyn District will expire at 6pm today (Wednesday). Read more at NEWSLINE.

Fire Update

· Rural fire crews have been sent to Hanmer this afternoon to assist with the fires burning in this area. However 17 crews remain on site at the Port Hills fire perimeter, continuing to identify and extinguish hotspots.

· Thermal imaging from helicopters and drones continues to show a reduction in fire activity in areas where fire crews have been working to reduce hotspots.

· Fire crews have also been walking the fire ground area and will continue to do this. Particular focus will be forested areas where drone thermal imaging may not be fully accurate due to the tree cover. Fire crews are using hand held thermal imaging cameras to identify hotspots requiring extinguishing.

Friday weather forecast

· In preparation for forecast warm and strong Nor’ West conditions on Friday, several portable dams will be available in case hotspots flare up and require attention. Fire crews will also be placed strategically in the fire zone.

· Fire operations feel confident they will be able to be quickly extinguish any minor flare ups that may happen as a result of Friday’s weather conditions. Fire behaviour modelling has been undertaken to identify areas of potential fire escape. Priority areas near unburnt vegetation are being enhanced to create wider fire break buffer zones.

· Given the weather forecast for Friday, residents within the fire perimeter will need to continue to be on alert and ready to leave the area if needed.

· You may be interested in viewing the aerial imagery showing the extent of the Port Hills fire.

Dog Parks

· The dog exercise areas in Victoria Park and Halswell Quarry are currently closed. However there are a range of other dog parks available throughout the city that you may wish to visit.

Dyers Pass Road

· Treetech has been busy on Dyers Pass Road today removing a large number of burnt and unstable trees which were at risk of falling onto the road.

· Contractors are also working to repair damaged marker posts and road barriers.

· We are prioritising work to allow the road to be reopened as soon as possible.
ends

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