Banks Peninsula fire update

Christchurch City Council, emergency services and the Department of Conservation continue to fight a fire burning across 400 hectares of bush at Stony Bay on Banks Peninsula.

The fire started around 1pm yesterday (12 July 2011). Investigations into the cause are ongoing, however it is likely that is was started by a lightning strike.

Overnight winds pushed the blaze over to the Akaroa side of Stony Bay Peak. It is currently around 5km away from Akaroa.

Four houses were evacuated around dusk last night because of concerns winds could push the fire towards them.

Aerial assessments were made late yesterday and early this morning, and there are now 60 staff, six helicopters and five tankers on-site to help battle the fire.

Principal Rural Fire Officer Keith Marshall says access to the site is limited and fire fighting is continuing with helicopters today.

“This is a significant fire on the peninsula and we have called in a large team to respond.
“It is burning through the Hinewai Reserve, which has been developed over the past 20 years to encourage biodiversity on the peninsula. The fire is adjacent to two popular walking tracks in the area,” he says.

The Council requests that residents do not to use Long Bay Road to keep it clear for emergency vehicles.

Regular updates will be release today as more information becomes available.