Port Hills Fire – Sunday 26 February
Public and Media Update – 4.50 pm
Fire crews

Overnight crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire in the Port Hills.

Weather permitting, drones will be flying overnight to undertake thermal imaging that will support ground crews damping down hot spots.

Tomorrow, firefighters plan to focus on eliminating hotspots in priority locations including the Early Valley Road area and the Summit Road. A large number of hotspots remain.

Dyers Pass Road cordons
Completing the work needed to reopen Dyers Pass Road is a top priority, as we recognise the significance of this key access route. It is still too early to say when the road will reopen but good progress is being made and there will be more updates tomorrow.
The condition of the road is good overall and edge markers were being replaced this afternoon. A geotechnical assessment of scattered rocks above the road has been completed. The remaining damage to guard rails and trees will be addressed tomorrow. We also expect the power cables will be checked and temporary speed limit signs installed.
Water conservation

We’re still asking people in the Port Hills area to continue to conserve water as much as possible over the next week while water levels in the reservoirs are restored. While today’s rain is helpful, there has been heavy demand on the water supply network from the firefighting response and some damage to water pipes in the area.

Next update
Unless there is a significant development overnight this will be the last update until tomorrow morning at 9am.
Overnight crews will continue to monitor and patrol the fire in the Port Hills, both on the ground and in the air.

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