Port Hills: Small crew keeping fire from reigniting

3:17 pm on 25 February 2024
170224 CHRIS SKELTON / POOL
Firefighters continue their efforts on Saturday as they work to dampen down remaining hot spots and create a buffer zone around the 24km perimeter fire ground in Christchurch's Port Hills. Pictured firefighter makes hot spots

Firefighters have been working to keep the blaze down at Christchurch's Port Hills. File photo. Photo: CHRIS SKELTON

Twelve firefighters were working on hotspots around the Christchurch Adventure Park on Sunday, as part of efforts to stop the Port Hills blaze reigniting.

A drone flew over the area again overnight.

Incident Commander Steve Kennedy said it would take time to dig out deep-seated burning tree roots.

Work is also being carried out at a forest skid site.

On Saturday, Kennedy said crews were having to deal with underground tree roots burning at significantly higher temperatures than the surface temperatures of hot spots identified on Friday night - some in excess of 200C.

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