Port Hills Fire Public Update – Sunday 26 February
Media Update – 3.20 pm
Dyers Pass Road cordons
The team reviewing the condition of Dyers Pass Road this afternoon has reported back.
The condition of the road is good overall but almost all posts and guard rails have melted or been burnt and will need repairing or replacing. One power pole is damaged and some trees need removing. A geotechnical assessment of scattered rocks above the road is also needed.
We plan to complete this work as rapidly as possible, as reopening this key route is a high priority. We are getting a lot of queries about when Dyers Pass Road will open to the public and recognise the significance of this road. We will update you if the cordon situation changes.
Other cordons
There are 11 cordons in total. While cordons at Worsleys Road, Kennedys Bush Road, Hoon Hay Valley Road and Dyers Pass Road have been relaxed, this is for residents only. There is still no access for members of the public. Access for tradespeople to repair damaged houses is being arranged.
Cordons are also being maintained at the entrance to Halswell Quarry during air operations to ensure public safety.
We are reminding people to resist the temptation to come and have a look around the area, this includes mountain bikers and runners. The area remains an operational fire zone with cordons still in place. Fire behaviour modelling indicates the chance of another outbreak is low but if it did happen, significant damage could still occur.
Fire crews

A current priority for fire authorities is detailed mapping of unburnt vegetation within the perimeter of the fire. This will help fire crews to strengthen fire breaks around these areas and reduce the risk of new outbreaks. The latest map of hotspots is attached to this update.

A total of 25 fire crews from all over the country are working today, with about 150 firefighters on the ground.

© Scoop Media