The Port Hills fires

Stuff reports:

The fire now covers more than 1800 hectares, or 18 square kilometres.

Seven houses are believed to have been damaged by the fire since yesterday, on Early Valley Rd and Worsley Rd, the city council says.

A total fire ban is now in place from South Canterbury through to the north end of the Hurunui District, including Christchurch and Banks Peninsula.

I’ve heard four homes may have been destroyed to date, and another 400 have been evacuated and are at risk. There must be few things worse than losing your home to a fire.

1800 hectares of area is pretty damn large. Hopefully it can be contained now it is daytime again and the air support is available, but not going to be easy.