| 2024 Port Hills fire | |
|---|---|
.jpg) The fire on the afternoon of Wednesday 14 February | |
| Date(s) | 14 February 2024 – 6 March 2024 |
| Location | Port Hills, Christchurch, New Zealand |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 700 hectares (1,700 acres)[1] |
| Impacts | |
| Structures destroyed | 1 home |
The 2024 Port Hills fire was a wildfire in Christchurch, New Zealand. The fire started at around 2:15 pm NZDT on 14 February 2024 on Worsleys Road. It is close to the location of one of the fires that started on 13 February 2017 which developed into the 2017 Port Hills fires.[2]
At the height of firefighting efforts on 16 February, the fire had spread over 700 hectares[1] and was being fought by over 100 firefighters, 15 helicopters, two fixed-wing planes, and 28 fire engines. 110 properties had been evacuated in total.[3] Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) and the New Zealand Police are still investigating the cause of the fire, including whether there was any human involvement. Two people were seen on a nearby walking track before they drove away, around the same time the fire started. FENZ and the police are asking for photos and videos taken between 1:30pm and 5pm on the day the fire began.[4]
- ^ a b "Port Hills fire now '70 per cent contained", Otago Daily Times, 16 February 2024, archived from the original on 21 February 2024, retrieved 21 February 2024
- ^ Gibbs, Tatiana (14 February 2024). "State of emergency declared as residents flee homes in wake of massive Port Hills fire". The Press. Retrieved 14 February 2024.
- ^ Leask, Anna; Franks, Raphael (16 February 2024). "Christchurch Port Hills fire live updates: Families spend another night away from homes". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Sherwood, Sam; Nixon, Pierre (20 February 2024). "Port Hills fire: Christchurch police speak with two people seen on walking track moments before blaze". New Zealand Herald. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.