The 20-hectare blaze which started at about 3pm on Monday, and forced the evacuation of five homes, has been contained. However, Fire and Emergency NZ spokesman Andrew Norris said a majority of crews were able to leave the blaze at 10pm. It came as quick-thinking firefighters earlier saved a dozen at-risk properties in a separate fire further south in Christchurch's coastal Redcliffs suburb as temperatures hit 28C. He said firefighters could be seen on the scaffolding of a construction site, and other firefighters were on the decks of other properties trying to protect them. Christchurch remains in a restricted fire season, meaning a permit is needed to light a fire as temperatures continue to soar.

Source: New Zealand Herald January 25, 2021 18:24 UTC